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Nokia N8 vs Nokia N97

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NokiaN8NokiaN97
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2010June 2009
Display
Screen size3.5″3.5″
Resolution640 × 360640 × 360
Sharpness210 pixels per inch210 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.3.5-inch TFT LCD, 640 × 360, up to 16 million colours; resistive touch input with optional stylus. No maker refresh-rate or peak-brightness figure published.
Performance
ChipARM11 680 MHz (GSMArena)ARM11 434 MHz (GSMArena)
Memory256 MB128 MB
Storage16 GB32 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.32 GB built-in mass storage from maker sheet. 128 MB installed RAM and 434 MHz ARM11 CPU from GSMArena’s full production review. All About Symbian’s later v 21 test reports only 10–15 MB free on the separate C: system partition after use; this is not total RAM or the 32 GB mass-storage capacity.
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.microSD expansion up to 16 GB from original maker sheet. Original up-to 48 GB marketing total includes the removable card, not 48 GB built-in storage.
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 Carl Zeiss Tessar, F2.8,5.4 mm physical focal length, dual LED flash/video light and sliding lens cover. Launch sheet 2584 ×1938 still matrix conflicts with 2592 ×1944 in exact issue 5 owner guide and production review; guide matrix identified as later exact-model evidence.
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 calling, confirmed in owner guide; no headline megapixel figure inferred. AAS reports 176 ×122 in its v 21 review, without treating that as a maker sensor specification.
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.Maker sheet specifies VGA 640 ×480 MPEG-4 at up to 30 fps. AAS later test records 640 ×360 at 29 fps; recording modes/settings differ. No HD or optical zoom claimed.
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.Two-stage shutter key, sliding lens cover, geotagging, scene settings, white balance, ISO and exposure compensation. No transferred N86 variable aperture or mechanical-shutter claim.
Battery and charging
Battery1,200 mAh1,500 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)–Up to 4.5 hours
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 BP-4L 1500 mAh. Original maker sheet maxima:320 minutes 3G or 400 minutesGSM talk,400 hours 3G or 430 hoursGSM standby,4.5 hours offline video or 37 hours offline music. GSMArena cites later 6/9.5-hour talk and 408/432-hour standby figures; differing launch claims are qualified rather than combined.
Wired charging2 mm charging socket and micro-USB charging; no maker charging wattage published.Micro-USB charging with simultaneous data transfer confirmed by exact owner guide; no maker charging wattage published.
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight135 g150 g
Thickness12.9 mm15.9 mm
Height × width113.5 × 59 mm117.2 × 55.3 mm
Weight detailMaker’s 135 g includes battery; 113.5 × 59 × 12.9 mm.Maker body dimensions 117.2 ×55.3 ×15.9 mm; camera area reaches 18.25 mm. Headline retains the main body thickness.
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.Slide-and-tilt three-row QWERTY keyboard with directional pad on the left and space key on the right. Numeric/symbol input uses modifiers. Physical menu, volume and capture controls, touch call/end keys and screen-lock slider.
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 speakers; FM radio with RDS and FM transmitter confirmed by production review and owner guide. Transmitter availability is regional; the guide qualifies permitted countries.
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.Symbian OS9.4/S60 5th Edition with configurable homescreen widgets, document viewers and original Ovi services. GSMArena tests launch firmware; AAS’s March 2010 month-long v 21 test still finds RAM/system-partition constraints and instability. Original N-Gage/service availability and later updates are not assumed universal or usable today.
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.Announced 2 December 2008 with first-half 2009 shipping planned. Maker 2 June 2009 article states sales in 75 countries duringJune without exact worldwide day; actual 19 June article confirms UK shop debut. June retained without substituting the UK day for worldwide first sale. No maker-supported direct predecessor link established.
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.Original maker sheet: GSM850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA900/1900/2100 with HSDPA. Exact guide identifies European RM-505; regional American variants remain separate and are not combined into the European band list.
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 networking, from maker datasheet; no inferred Wi-Fi generation beyond the stated standards.
BluetoothBluetooth 3.0 from maker specification; early launch coverage’s Bluetooth 2.1 differs and is not transferred.Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR with A2DP/AVRCP stereo audio, hands-free/headset, dial-up networking, file transfer, imaging, phonebook access and remote SIM profiles confirmed in exact guide.
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.Micro-USB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data/charging and 3.5 mm Nokia AV socket for compatible headphones and PAL/NTSC TV-out.
PositioningGPS, assisted GPS, compass and Wi-Fi positioning. Original Ovi Maps provides free walking/driving navigation; original online services are not promised available today.GPS, assisted GPS and electronic compass. Launch sheet says navigation may need separate purchase; GSMArena’s original Maps 2.0 Touch package had a three-month trial, while AAS later v 21 review tests updated Ovi Maps. These are historical software/licence states, not promised current services.

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