Nokia N86 8MP vs Nokia N96

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

N86 8MP compared with N96
NokiaN86 8MPNokiaN96
Overview
ReleasedJune 2009September 2008
Display
Screen size2.6″2.8″
Resolution320 × 240320 × 240
Sharpness154 pixels per inch (better)143 pixels per inch
PanelOLEDLCD
Display type2.6-inch AMOLED QVGA, up to 16 million colours; no published maker refresh-rate or brightness figure.2.8-inch QVGA screen; GSMArena identifies TFT LCD with 16 million colours. No maker refresh-rate figure established.
Screen protectionScratch-resistant hardened glass and metal front frame, from the maker launch release; no inferred Gorilla Glass version.–
Performance
ChipARM11 434 MHz (GSMArena)Dual ARM9 264 MHz (GSMArena)
Memory128 MB128 MB
Storage8 GB16 GB (better)
Memory8 GB internal flash from maker datasheet. Installed 128 MB RAM is from GSMArena’s full production review; the maker’s up to 74 MB internal dynamic memory is not total installed RAM. Free RAM varies with software and firmware.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 typemicroSD expansion up to 16 GB, from maker sheet and launch release. Removable card capacity is separate from built-in 8 GB 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 camera8 MP (better)5 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Main camera8 MP autofocus Carl Zeiss Tessar: 4.61 mm physical focal length (28 mm equivalent), automatic F2.4/F3.2/F4.8 aperture, mechanical shutter up to 1/1000 second and third-generation dual LED flash/video light. Original launch sheet gives 3280 × 2464 stills; exact RM-484 owner guide and production reviews give 3264 × 2448. Owner-guide matrix retained as the later exact-model evidence.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 VGA camera, 640 × 480 pixels, from maker sheet; no inferred headline megapixel precision.Secondary front camera for video calls; GSMArena identifies VGA, without an inferred megapixel figure.
Video recordingMain camera VGA 640 × 480 at up to 30 fps, from maker sheet. No HD recording or optical zoom claimed.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 featuresSliding lens cover, two-stage capture key, geotagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation and burst/interval capture. Aperture selection is automatic rather than a manual aperture control. GSMArena and All About Symbian differ strongly on still-image processing quality.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 mAh (better)950 mAh
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detailRemovable BL-5K, 1200 mAh. Maker maxima: 3.9 hours WCDMA or 6.3 hours GSM talk, 2.5 hours video calling, seven hours QVGA/30fps video playback or 25 hours offline music. The original sheet labels standby as 11.5 h WCDMA and 13 h GSM; GSMArena instead lists 264/312 hours. Unresolved apparent unit/error conflict is retained rather than silently converting the maker values into days.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 chargingMicro-USB charging and simultaneous USB data transfer confirmed by exact RM-484 guide; no 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
Weight149 g125 g (better)
Thickness16.5 mm (better)18 mm
Height × width103.4 × 51.4 mm103 × 55 mm
Weight detail–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.
ButtonsDual slider exposes numeric keypad or media/game keys; physical directional control, volume/zoom, capture and keylock. Active kickstand opens Photos by default and is configurable in the exact guide. Maker sheet advertises automatic media launching with the short slide; GSMArena’s production unit did not perform that action.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.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakers with 3D sound effect, FM radio with RDS and FM transmitter. Exact guide qualifies transmitter availability by country; stereo speaker sound is criticised in the original reviews.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.
Software
Operating systemSymbianSymbian
Software featuresS60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 on Symbian OS 9.3; music/podcasting, Photos, video player, N-Gage, document viewers and original Ovi services. All About Symbian reports slowdowns and restarts on v10 launch firmware; no unverified later fix claimed.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 detailMaker announcement on 17 February 2009 planned Q2 shipping. Nokia Conversations’ 11 June article says shop sales started the previous day around the globe; its 19 June article separately confirms UK shop debut that day. June retained without assuming an identical first-sale day in every market. No maker-supported direct predecessor link established.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.
Connectivity
Mobile networkEuropean RM-484 guide: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS 900/1900/2100. Maker launch sheet separately lists a regional 850/1900/2100 UMTS version with WLAN and a 900/1900/2100 version without WLAN; these are distinct regional variants, not combined bands/features.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.
Wi-FiEuropean guide confirms IEEE 802.11b/g at 2.4 GHz and UPnP home-network sharing. Maker sheet also lists a separate regional no-WLAN version.IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network sharing; exact RM-247 guide documents infrastructure/ad hoc modes and media sharing.
BluetoothBluetooth 2.0 + EDR from exact guide; A2DP/AVRCP stereo audio, hands-free/headset, dial-up networking, imaging, file transfer, remote SIM and phonebook access profiles.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.
USBMicro-USB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data/charging and 3.5 mm Nokia AV socket for compatible headphones and PAL/NTSC TV-out.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 and digital compass; Nokia Maps 3.0 at launch. Navigation trial lengths varied: GSMArena describes three months, All About Symbian’s European package six months driving plus pedestrian navigation. Original licences and retired online services are historical features.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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