A cameraphone by name, but this one is all
about the photos
The Nokia 808 PureView ($728 inc. VAT) drew
gasps when it was announced: a 41-megapixel cameraphone; surely Nokia had gone
mad? Actually, no - the Finnish firm is just releasing the first phone based on
its ‘next-gen cameraphone technology.
It’s certainly more camera than phone: a
chunky design allows for the whopping sensor and xenon flash, but adds heft to
the pocket. It’s also running Symbian OS, which is Nokia’s dying platform, so
you’re not going to get the most cutting edge features.
Nokia
808 PureView
As a phone, it’s an improved experience
over the Nokia N8 predecessor but it’s still far from Android-beating. While
powerful, the Symbian OS lacks the fluidity of its smartphone rivals, with lag
under the finger during operation.
The menu system also harks back to the
older Nokia days, with drilling down through folders necessary to get to a
number of features. While the OS allows for better battery life and a wider
range of functionality, it does bring frustration during actual use.
Snapping at the heels
However, where this phone comes into its
own is when it’s used as a camera, and thanks to the new PureView technology,
it’s easily the best cameraphone on the market.
The
media section isn’t market leading at all: the nHD screen doesn’t have the pop
of its smartphone rivals for video playback, and while the audio is impressive,
the music player can be a bit of a handful to navigate.
The 41-megapixel sensor aside (which can
actually only take 38-megapixel max stills) there’s a wide range of options for
manually ensuring the best photos. ISO (for varying light levels) can be set up
to 1,600, meaning the 808 is capable of getting shots in darker conditions.
Focusing speeds were also quick and precise for the most part, and overall the
camera produced amazingly crisp and clear pictures in a wide range of
conditions, with colours fizzing out of most scenes.
While we’re still agog at the photos we can
take with this device, we’re still a bit unimpressed by the rest of the
functionality. The media section isn’t market leading at all: the nHD screen
doesn’t have the pop of its smartphone rivals for video playback, and while the
audio is impressive, the music player can be a bit of a handful to navigate.
The same is true of the web browser: it’s
cumbersome to use, with text input a particular difficulty. The speed is good
enough, but doesn’t match other top handsets on the market.
It’s clear to see this is Nokia’s last
hurrah with Symbian: packing in the best cameraphone technology on ageing
hardware before it brings the brand to its Windows Phone range.
The fact it’s so expensive and can’t be
bought on contract speaks volumes for its chances of success on UK shores.
It’s definitely a step forward for Symbian,
and fans will still enjoy the experience, but we suggest you wait for the new’
PureView-packing Windows Phones if you’re still desperate to own a Nokia.
What’s it best for
Photography
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Details
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Price
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$728
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Website
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www..com
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Key features
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Supplier
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www..com
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OS
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SymbianA3 (Belle)
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Processor
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Arm 11 1.3GHz
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Memory
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512MB RAM
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Storage
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16GB
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Expansion
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microSD
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Connectivity
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Micro-USB, Micro HDMI
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Rear camera
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41 MP
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Front camera
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VGA
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Weight
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169g
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Screen size
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4-inch
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Screen type
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AMOLED ClearBlack
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Screen resolution
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640 x 360
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Test results
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Battery life (Mins)
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350
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Performance
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N/A
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Gaming
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N/A
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Verdict
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Value
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3/5
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Features
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3/5
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Performance
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2/5
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Total
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3/5
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