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Nokia N79 vs Nokia N85

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NokiaN79NokiaN85
Overview
Released2008October 2008
Display
Screen size2.4″2.6″
Resolution320 × 240320 × 240
Sharpness167 pixels per inch154 pixels per inch
PanelLCDOLED
Display type2.4-inch QVGA 240 × 320 LCD with up to 16 million colours; TFT type confirmed by GSMArena. Native refresh and brightness in nits not published.2.6-inch AMOLED, QVGA, up to 16 million colours; no maker refresh-rate or peak-brightness figure published in the launch sheet.
Display featuresOrientation sensor supports automatic portrait/landscape interface rotation.–
Performance
Chip–ARM11 369 MHz (GSMArena)
Storage50 MB78 MB
MemoryS60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2. GSMArena reports Symbian OS 9.3 and a single 369 MHz ARM11 CPU without a dedicated graphics accelerator. Physical RAM capacity is not inferred from the 72 MB free-RAM figure in All About Symbian's test.Maker datasheet lists up to 74 MB internal dynamic memory and up to 78 MB internal NAND flash. Configs record the latter, not the included 8 GB removable card. Installed RAM is left unpublished; dynamic/free memory is not treated as installed RAM. GSMArena reports a different user-available figure, just under 85 MB.
Storage typeMaker launch datasheet states up to 50 MB internal user memory and a bundled 4 GB microSD card. Contemporary tests differ, with All About Symbian finding 76 MB free internal storage and GSMArena just under 83 MB user-available memory. Keep differing firmware/test figures qualified, rather than adding them to nominal capacity.microSD expansion; 8 GB microSD card supplied in the original maker launch package. No inferred maximum card size.
Cameras
Main camera5 MP5 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Main cameraAutofocus 5 MP Carl Zeiss Tessar, F2.8 aperture and physical focal length 5.2 mm; dual LED flash and physical sliding lens cover. Launch datasheet gives 2584 × 1938 pixels, while the exact guide and GSMArena give 2592 × 1944. Retain this source discrepancy.5 MP autofocus Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, F2.8, 5.45 mm physical focal length and dual LED flash/video light. Maker sheet gives 2584 × 1938 capture; GSMArena production review gives 2592 × 1944. Exact disagreement retained.
Front cameraLower-resolution secondary camera supports photographs, video recording and video calls; exact guide does not give megapixels.Secondary front camera for video calls; GSMArena identifies CIF without an inferred megapixel count.
Video recordingMPEG-4 VGA 640 × 480 at up to 30 fps. Guide distinguishes MP4 TV-quality modes from 3GP sharing mode. Dual LED can serve as a video light; review focus findings vary and are not changed into specification claims.Main camera MPEG-4 VGA (640 × 480) at up to 30 fps, from maker launch datasheet.
Camera featuresGeotagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation, self-timer, burst sequence and composition grid; configurable camera toolbar. Physical cover starts and closes the camera application.Sliding lens cover activates camera; location tagging, scene modes, white balance, ISO, exposure compensation, sharpness, contrast and colour effects. Two-stage capture button.
Battery and charging
Battery1,200 mAh1,200 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)Up to 5 hours–
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detailRemovable BL-6F, 1200 mAh. Launch datasheet claims up to 210 minutes 3G or 330 minutes GSM talk, 400 hours 3G or 370 hours GSM standby, 5 hours offline video playback and 24 hours offline music. Actual use depends on network, features and battery condition.Removable Nokia BL-5K, 1200 mAh. Launch maker maxima: 270 minutes 3G or 410 minutes GSM talk, 360 hours standby, 160 minutes video calls, seven hours QVGA/15fps video playback or 30 hours music in offline mode; different activities and conditions, not interchangeable endurance.
Wired chargingDedicated 2 mm Nokia charging connector. Micro-USB does not charge the handset, confirmed in both full reviews.Micro-USB charging, confirmed by exact RM-333 guide. USB data transfer can continue while charging; no maker charging wattage inferred.
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight97 g128 g
Thickness15 mm16 mm
Height × width110 × 49 mm103 × 50 mm
ColoursMaker launch lists Light Sea Blue, Espresso Brown, Olive Green, White and Coral Red Xpress-on smart rear covers; three covers included in each package, with market-dependent selection. Covers automatically change matching screen themes unless that option is disabled.–
ButtonsNavi wheel around the scroll control, dedicated keylock slider, volume rocker, multimedia/menu controls and two-stage camera capture key.Dual slider exposes numeric keypad or media/game keys; physical scroll control with optional touch-sensitive Navi wheel, multimedia key, camera/zoom controls and keylock switch. Guide confirms Navi wheel in supported applications; unlike N96, the production reviews test it as active.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo loudspeakers; headset listening and speakerphone/ringtone measurements are distinct.Two built-in stereo speakers with 3D sound effect. FM radio with RDS and FM transmitter; guide qualifies transmitter availability by country and documents short-range compatible receiver use.
Software
Operating systemSymbianSymbian
Software featuresIntegrated FM receiver and FM transmitter; original music, gallery, web, messaging, document viewing and N-Gage software. Firmware, region and operator affect applications; retired connected services are not advertised as current.S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 on Symbian OS 9.3, music/podcasting, video player, Photos and N-Gage client. Document viewers do not include editing out of the box. Launch trials, online music, maps and regional iPlayer are historical services.
Release detailMaker announcement on 26 August 2008 plans October shipping, while the datasheet plans Q4. Neither proves the first retail day or month, so release retains 2008 precision, supported by contemporary production reviews. Maker calls it a step forward from N72/N73; review comparisons with N78/N82 do not establish a direct replacement link.Maker announcement on 26 August 2008 planned October shipping. Nokia shipping press release reproduced by Cheat Code Central on 15 October says globally shipping and available; October retained without assuming publication day is worldwide first retail. No explicit maker direct-predecessor evidence established.
Connectivity
Mobile networkN79-1/RM-348 supports WCDMA 900/2100 with HSDPA and GSM 850/900/1800/1900 with EGPRS. Other regional RM models have different bands; none borrowed into this record.European RM-333: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 900/1900/2100 with HSDPA. Maker sheet separately lists a regional 850/1900/2100 WCDMA version; RM-334 guide supports that regional version, not combined bands.
Wi-FiIEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network support.IEEE 802.11b/g at 2.4 GHz, with UPnP home-network sharing; guide documents WEP, WPA and 802.1x support.
BluetoothBluetooth 2.0 with enhanced data rates; exact guide lists stereo A2DP and AVRCP, imaging, printing, dial-up networking, file transfer, hands-free, headset, HID, object push, SIM access, synchronisation, serial-port and phonebook-access profiles.Bluetooth 2.0, with A2DP/AVRCP stereo audio, hands-free/headset, file transfer, HID, imaging/printing, serial port, phonebook and remote SIM profiles confirmed in exact guide.
USBMicro-USB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data socket and separate charging connector. Standard 3.5 mm stereo headset connector also supports PAL/NTSC TV output.Micro-USB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data/charging; Nokia AV 3.5 mm socket for compatible headphones and PAL/NTSC TV-out.
PositioningIntegrated GPS and assisted GPS. Original Nokia Maps and bundled navigation trial are historical software features; retired service availability is not promised.GPS and assisted GPS; historical Nokia Maps 2.0. Launch three-month navigation licence and retired online services are described as original features, not promised as current services.

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