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Nokia N8 vs Nokia N96

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NokiaN8NokiaN96
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2010September 2008
Display
Screen size3.5″2.8″
Resolution640 × 360320 × 240
Sharpness210 pixels per inch143 pixels per inch
PanelOLEDLCD
Display type3.5-inch AMOLED, 640 × 360, 16.7 million colours; capacitive touchscreen with multi-touch. No maker refresh or brightness value published.2.8-inch QVGA screen; GSMArena identifies TFT LCD with 16 million colours. No maker refresh-rate figure established.
Performance
ChipARM11 680 MHz (GSMArena)Dual ARM9 264 MHz (GSMArena)
Memory256 MB128 MB
Storage16 GB16 GB
Memory16 GB built-in mass storage from maker sheet; 256 MB installed RAM and 680 MHz ARM11 processor from GSMArena’s full production review. Installed RAM is distinct from system flash and free application memory.16 GB mass storage is separate from phone/system memory. GSMArena publishes 128 MB RAM, used in configs; All About Symbian reports about 46 MB free after boot, not installed capacity. Its tested phone/system C drive has 85 MB free; neither free-space figure replaces advertised mass storage.
Storage typeHot-swappable microSD up to 32 GB; maker’s up-to-48 GB capacity includes an optional card, not 48 GB built-in storage.Built-in mass storage and microSD slot. Maker launch describes an optional 8 GB microSDHC MU-43 card giving 24 GB total; no hypothetical card maximum treated as a maker specification.
Cameras
Main camera12 MP5 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Main camera12 MP autofocus Carl Zeiss optics; 1/1.83-inch optical sensor format, physical 5.9 mm focal length (28 mm equivalent), fixed F2.8 aperture and xenon flash. Optical sensor format is not a physical diagonal dimension.5 MP autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash/video light. GSMArena reports 2592 × 1944 stills and 5.2 mm marked focal length. No physical lens cover.
Front cameraFront video-call camera confirmed. Maker sheet inconsistently labels it QVGA while giving 640 × 480 pixels; no sensor megapixel figure inferred.Secondary front camera for video calls; GSMArena identifies VGA, without an inferred megapixel figure.
ZoomMaker specifies digital zoom up to 2× for stills and 3× for video; no optical zoom.–
Video recordingOriginal maker specification is H.264/MPEG-4 1280 × 720 at up to 25 fps, with stereo AAC audio; low light can reduce frame rate. Later 30 fps/continuous close-up autofocus camera application was a separate Beta Labs release for Symbian Anna, not part of the original camera specification. GSMArena later tested 30 fps with Belle.VGA video at up to 30 fps in GSMArena’s production review; maker announcement confirms 30 fps without treating “DVD-like” marketing as a resolution.
Camera featuresTwo-stage camera key, autofocus stills, geotagging and red-eye reduction. Original video uses active hyperfocal focusing; maker’s August 2011 Beta Labs close-up mode adds continuous autofocus from approximately 10 cm, with limitations at longer distances. Anna disables video ND-filter operation to avoid a dropped frame and audible click.Location tagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation, ISO selection, sharpness, contrast and colour effects; exact guide distinguishes temporary setup from persistent main settings.
Battery and charging
Battery1,200 mAh950 mAh
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detailInternal BL-4D 1200 mAh; exact 2011 issue 2.0 guide requires qualified service replacement. Maker maximum GSM/WCDMA talk 720/350 minutes; standby 390/400 hours. Up to 50 hours offline music. Six-hour H.264 720p30 playback claim applies via HDMI to a television, not unqualified playback on the handset screen. Up to 3 hours 20 minutes 720p25 recording.Removable BL-5F confirmed by RM-247 guide; 950 mAh is reported independently by GSMArena and All About Symbian. No unpublished launch talk/standby figures copied from N95. Contemporary test endurance remains attributed in reviews.
Wired charging2 mm charging socket and micro-USB charging; no maker charging wattage published.Separate charger connector and micro-USB data socket. GSMArena confirms no USB charging; RM-247 guide specifies compatible AC-5 mains charger.
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight135 g125 g
Thickness12.9 mm18 mm
Height × width113.5 × 59 mm103 × 55 mm
Weight detailMaker’s 135 g includes battery; 113.5 × 59 × 12.9 mm.GSMArena quotes 125 g and 103 × 55 × 18 mm; those structured required figures use its exact-model production review because original maker datasheet mirror is blocked. All About Symbian describes 17 mm thickness; source difference retained.
MaterialsAnodised aluminium casing.–
ColoursOriginal Silver white, Dark grey, Orange, Blue and Green; availability varies by country. Maker confirmed later Pink on 2 May 2011 with unchanged internal hardware. Other reported regional finishes remain unverified in this source set.–
ButtonsPhysical menu, power, lock, volume/zoom and two-stage camera keys; touchscreen keyboard.Dual slider reveals numeric keypad or media/game controls. Front media keys, scroll control, menu/multimedia shortcuts, camera/volume controls and top keylock switch. All About Symbian confirms prototype Navi wheel was disabled in production; generic FP2 review paragraphs suggesting it remains active are excluded.
SensorsAccelerometer, magnetometer, proximity and ambient-light sensor.–
SpeakersBuilt-in loudspeaker, FM receiver and FM transmitter. Compatible wired headset serves as radio aerial.Built-in stereo loudspeakers and rear folding stand for hands-free video viewing. DVB-H receiver requires compatible local services; original guide specifies SIM and subscription/coverage conditions.
MicrophonesStereo video audio recording; dedicated noise-cancellation microphone noted by GSMArena.–
Software
Operating systemSymbianSymbian
Software at launchSymbian^3 with Qt 4.6.2, Java MIDP 2.1, Web Runtime 7.2 and Flash Lite 4.0.–
Software featuresThree customisable homescreens, office document viewers and built-in photo/video editing. Maker sheet’s office viewer list and email editing wording differ; GSMArena’s original retail test requires a paid Quickoffice upgrade for document editing. Native DivX support is disputed between full production reviews; no universal compatibility claim.S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 on Symbian OS 9.3, as identified in full reviews. Original music/video/Photos software, FM radio with RDS, Internet Radio, N-Gage, document viewers and web browser. Historical regional BBC iPlayer widget and online-service support are described as launch-era features.
Release detailAnnounced 27 April 2010 with third-quarter shipment planned. Maker’s 7 October article says first shipments left factories on 30 September and customers received devices the next day; October first-delivery month retained without treating factory shipment or preorder as retail sale. No supported direct predecessor link added.Original maker announcement dated 11 February 2008 planned Q3 shipping. Issuer’s 3 September notice announces availability and says first shipments have started; September retained without treating notice date as exact worldwide first retail. Regional retail timing differs. Maker says N96 builds on N95’s success, without an explicit direct replacement link.
Software updatesSymbian Anna and subsequent Belle tested by GSMArena. Maker’s 22 August 2011 camera announcement distinguishes Anna interface/exposure changes from the optional Beta Labs 30 fps/continuous close-up autofocus application. Historical software/services may no longer be obtainable.–
Connectivity
Mobile networkGSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 850/900/1700/1900/2100; HSDPA up to 10.2 Mbps, HSUPA up to 2 Mbps. No LTE.GSMArena exact model table lists GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 900/2100 with HSDPA. Separate N96-3 regional 850/1900 WCDMA bands are not combined into the European record.
SIMStandard SIM; maker sheet warns against micro-SIM cards and micro-SIM adaptors.–
Wi-FiIEEE 802.11b/g/n.IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network sharing; exact RM-247 guide documents infrastructure/ad hoc modes and media sharing.
BluetoothBluetooth 3.0 from maker specification; early launch coverage’s Bluetooth 2.1 differs and is not transferred.Bluetooth 2.0; exact RM-247 guide lists A2DP, AVRCP, imaging, printing, dial-up networking, file transfer, hands-free, headset, HID, object push, SIM access, synchronisation, serial-port and phonebook-access profiles.
USBHi-Speed USB 2.0 micro-USB with charging and USB On-the-Go. Compatible low-power storage devices require the appropriate cable; not every device or powered USB peripheral is supported. Micro-HDMI television output and 3.5 mm AV/headphone socket; HDMI supports 720p and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound.Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data via micro-USB. Nokia AV 3.5 mm connector serves compatible wired headphones and CA-75U TV-out cable; separate mains charging connector.
PositioningGPS, assisted GPS, compass and Wi-Fi positioning. Original Ovi Maps provides free walking/driving navigation; original online services are not promised available today.Integrated GPS and assisted GPS with historical Nokia Maps navigation. Launch navigation subscriptions and retired online services are not promised as current services.

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