The guys over at iFixit have taken their screwdrivers to the new Nokia N8, and have taken it apart to see what is inside Nokia’s latest smartphone.
Following on the tepid success of the N97, the N8 is Nokia’s direct competitor to the iPhone 4 and high-end Android smartphones. Betting the farm on the success of the N8, Nokia packed this phone full of features—but we wanted to see how much awesomeness was really inside.
Key Features and Specifications
The Nokia N8 is a significant leap forward from its predecessors, boasting a range of features designed to compete with the best in the market. One of the standout features is its 12-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, which was considered groundbreaking at the time of its release. This camera is capable of recording HD video at 720p, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize multimedia capabilities in their smartphones.
Another notable feature is the phone’s AMOLED display, which offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, enhancing the overall user experience. The N8 also comes with 16GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. Additionally, the device is powered by a 680 MHz ARM 11 processor and 256MB of RAM, which, while modest by today’s standards, was quite competitive at the time.
Inside the Nokia N8
When the team at iFixit took apart the Nokia N8, they discovered a meticulously designed interior that reflects Nokia’s commitment to quality and durability. The teardown revealed a robust aluminum unibody construction, which not only adds to the phone’s premium feel but also provides excellent protection against drops and impacts.
One of the most interesting aspects of the teardown was the discovery of the phone’s modular components. The battery, for instance, is not soldered to the motherboard, making it relatively easy to replace—a feature that is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. This modularity extends to other components as well, such as the camera module and the display, which can be replaced independently of each other.
The iFixit team also noted the presence of a Broadcom BCM2727 GPU, which is responsible for the phone’s impressive graphics performance. This GPU, combined with the ARM 11 processor, ensures smooth operation for most tasks, although it may struggle with more demanding applications and games.
Head on over to iFixit for lots more photos and details on what is inside the new Nokia N8.
Comparing the N8 to Its Competitors
When compared to its contemporaries, the Nokia N8 holds its own in several key areas. For instance, its camera quality was unmatched at the time, often outperforming the iPhone 4 and many high-end Android devices in terms of photo and video quality. The inclusion of HDMI output was another innovative feature, allowing users to easily connect their phone to a TV or monitor for a larger viewing experience.
However, the N8 did have its shortcomings. The Symbian^3 operating system, while functional, was often criticized for being less intuitive and user-friendly compared to iOS and Android. This was a significant drawback, as the user experience is a crucial factor for many smartphone buyers. Additionally, the app ecosystem for Symbian was not as robust as those for iOS and Android, limiting the range of available applications.
Despite these challenges, the Nokia N8 remains a noteworthy device in the history of smartphones. It showcased Nokia’s ability to innovate and push the boundaries of mobile technology, even if it ultimately fell short of dethroning its competitors.
The Nokia N8 is a fascinating device that offers a glimpse into the competitive landscape of smartphones in the early 2010s. Its impressive hardware and innovative features make it a memorable entry in Nokia’s lineup, and the detailed teardown by iFixit provides valuable insights into the engineering and design that went into creating this iconic phone.
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