Nokia N8 - Nokia-Empire Strikes Back

Two things in front. Firstly, the N8-00's my first cell phone / smart phone with touch screen in "real mode". However, I could couple LG (Non-Android) and the Samsung Star's try to compare. Second, I had the Nokia E71, with whom I was very pleased. It is a change from 1 to Symbian Symbian ^ 3, so I have Symbian 1 as a basis for comparison in mind.
I must confess, as the N8 was announced few months ago, I've been looking forward to the right part. The unit I was visually very appealing, both from the design and the material used (Aluminum Unibody with plastic caps at top and bottom). In addition saw the specifications - especially the 12 MP camera and the free navigation - from quite interesting. Finally, the decision was between Samsung Wave and Nokia N8. I decided despite the higher price for the N8.

1. processing and optics
As mentioned above is the Nokia N8-00 from an aluminum unibody, ie. the housing is (more or less and at least for the user) is made from one piece. So also the battery is located in the housing and can not be removed without the Case to open (two Torx screws on the sides of the housing). On the housing ends up and down Nokia has installed two plastic caps that fit without looking cheap. Plastic was necessary not to interfere here to receive the numerous antennas. The glasses (display and objective lens) are made of scratch-resistant Gorllaglas.
Short to Battery: Clear, a permanently installed battery has at first glance considered drawbacks. But in all the years in which I use cell phones, I've never had to replace a battery. I had really only to the battery when the phone is not responding. When N8 that goes beyond the hardware keys, so the built-in battery is not a problem for me.
All in all, there are 5 star for processing.

2. The phone / messaging part
The voice quality is very good. Clear call quality at both ends. The reception at the O2 network (big city) is also flawless. The N8 can be grabbed without signal loss on all sides.
The phone has a detailed phone book with all sorts of options, to me is nothing but missing noticed. Conveniently, allows contacts to mark as favorites, which then preceded by the remaining entries. That means lung menu for SMS / MMS is usual clear Nokia fare. New (to me) is known from iPhone & Co dialog view. Texts can be entered with QWERTY and alphanumeric keyboard. This reveals a Nokiaeigenart: To write must be clicked in the text box so that it opens another text box (with the keyboards). This will be fixed according to Nokia with the coming updates.
Synchronize with the desktop is via Ovi Suite, online via Ovi.com and some versions of Nokia PC Suite.
Again, 5 stars.

3. Music / Radio
For me, the MP3 player is an important function, as I daily use the. The N8 plays MP3s / WMAs without problems, AACs allegedly also that I could not test, because I have nothing available in AAC format. The player automatically sorted by artist / albums, genres and playlists such as automatic. Last heard or Last updated. Of course, also can create playlists or just show / play all songs. The Equalizer has 6 presets. This can not be changed or dilate. For my purposes this is sufficient, however, the tone sounds (subjectively) by the supplied headset well. Here you can also make use of the FM station.
There is also an RDS-enabled FM radio. By using the 16GB of internal memory and the possibility microSD card fits it enough music.
4.5 star rating due to the lack of equalizer settings.

4. Camera
On paper, the 12 megapixel camera is probably the most impressive feature. Nokia built here again a Carl Zeiss lens as it is now common practice in the N-series, the sensor is as large as the one that is installed in the higher-priced (compact) digicams according to Nokia. In daylight, the images are to those of a (cheap) compact camera in anything. Even in complete darkness, the noise is limited. The Xenon flash can also bring out a lot. For "real" pictures I still have my DSLR, but as a camera that I have always with you, I am very satisfied with the N8.
The video function is taken up in 1280x720 HD. The videos also look good. However, I have the "Camcorder" is not needed.
5 stars for the cameras.

5. Internet / Browser
The browser of the N8 is a new development and makes a solid impression. Mobile sites can be without problems show, even with the desktop versions I had no problems. The browser seems slow because the page does not appear after it is fully charged. After the load can be the side comfortable and error-free browsing. The browser supports pinch-to-zoom and Flash / Flash video.
A new version is in the works, according to Nokia. In addition, of course, can also be installed alternative browser like Opera Mobile or Mini.
For my needs the browser enough, so there's no point deductions.
5/5.

6. Maps / Navigation / Ovi Maps
First you should download and install via Nokia Beta Labs beta about cards 3.06. This is slightly faster than the supplied version 3.04 and has pinch-to-zoom and other functions more like. the check-in way to make your site for friends to publicize. Nokia offers free maps and voice navigation (on foot and by car) for nearly 80 countries. To find a map can be free and easily download on your PC and copy them to the N8. Free, there are also extensions of Michelin, Qype, TripAdvisor and more.
From cards with the many features and options I'm excited to be honest. With an additional Vehicle Mount the N8 without problems lies use as Navi.
5/5.

7. Email
The included client works without problems. Frequent freemail providers is already preconfigured and only need the access. Others can be easily configured in just a few minutes via POP / IMAP and SMTP. HTML and Text messages are displayed.
5/5

7. Symbian ^ 3 and Others
Google's Android is a good system, no question. However, it has the positive coupling with Google Accounts for me an absolute knock-out criterion. I want to still be able to decide whether I want to go on the internet to the device. In the past, Nokia had a long sleep through the touchscreen phone trend. Symbian OS was a good, but not necessarily designed for finger operation. The X6 was then the first step in the right direction. With the N8 and S ^ 3, Nokia has made the first correct idea and a good (high-priced) modern device designed this S ^ 3 was only intended as an interim step to Symbian ^ 4 and MeeGo. Meanwhile, Nokia has announced to offer Symbian4 as free updates. Yes, Symbian ^ 3 is based on the old Symbian versions, however, the core is a new development (comparable to Windows XP and Vista / 7). Symbian ^ 3 is a lot of innovations that put more in detail, such as. a new gallery that is really damn fast (excuse the expression).
The Nokia N8 offers plenty of practical extra features, which are not necessarily purchase reasons, but honestly do not want to miss. The FM transmitter couples the N8 to the car radio. mp3s and navigation can be so through your car stereo playback. The mini HDMI port displays photos on an HDMI-enabled TV, along with the internal video player that's an unbeatable combination. The N8 plays as well as from all kinds of films, from file system reasons, the files must, however, be less than 2GB. Extremely practical is also USB OTG (On the Go). About a supplied adapter can be connected USB sticks and external 1.8 and 3.5 inch hard drives. These are called additional external memory can be displayed on the course accessed.
The N8 has a 3.5 "inch display with 360x640 pixels. There are devices with larger displays such as. The Galaxy S, however, so also grows the device. Ultimately, these are still at a mobile which always carries, ie. there must be a compromise in terms of size are found. I personally need a cell phone always able to operate with one hand. On the N8 is still possible, fortunately, so hand me the 3.5 "while (going somewhere) surfing. For all other cases, I use rather a 15.4 "notebook.

All in all, I would Nokia N8 definitely recommend. I hope I could help you but more detail with this as planned review.