Nokia N8 (2010)

Good features = good phone – Last year I bought a silver Nokia N8-00 smartphone outright through the Dicksmith website. While it was a little pricey, in comparison to other smartphones (iphone, Android) at the time it was a little cheaper. It took me some time to learn to use the many features, but now I'm finding it difficult to live without! Some of my favourite… Read more

features:

- Good old general Nokia software features such as the calendar, organiser, etc.

- I appreciate the power-saving option, which means I don't have to charge it every day.

- Fantastic 12mp camera at the back! However zoom could be improved. Quality of front camera ("secondary camera") could be improved.

- Personalisation of all three home screens.

- Good old Nokia durability. Must admit I've dropped it a couple of times, but thankfully it hasn't broken!

Update: In 2015 my phone is still working well, except for the messaging and calendar apps occasionally freezing. More importantly, however, Nokia no longer support this model and their app stores are non-existent. Nokia reliability, power saving option, 12mp camera, personalisation options, many other features Lack of apps for Nokia phones

Not the best – I have had my Nokia N8 for coming up to 2 years now. This phone has served me well. It was prety durable. although one drop on the road smashed the screen.It still worked as normal though. I would never get this phone again, and i am looking forward to getting rid of it in the next few days. It is very slow to respond. Internet browsing is… Read more

annoyingly slow.I found it very hard having a conversation with someone, always cut in and out and just sounded bad. Size, style, camera Slow

Worst phone ever!! – This Nokia phone is terrible. Continually rebooting itself, slow to respond, internet browsing is so slow you just give up. Can't even download Nokia reccomended updates for the phone. When I get a new phone I am going to have great pleasure stomping on this one or throwing it off a very high cliff. The camera is excellent I must say Small screen… Read more

and hard to read, touch screen slow to respond, screen just blacks out while you are touching/using it and can't get it to reappear. Absolutley useless. I'm over Nokia phones and will never buy another one.

Lots of Benefits – I bought this phone as I didn't want to be like everyone else and buy an IPhone. I have been really happy with. I am really clumsy, so I have accidentally dropped this phone several times and after two years it is still going strong. Haven't had to send it up for any kind of repairs or faults. I can connect it to my computer and use it as a… Read more

portable modem, I can take/edit HD videos with it, 12MP photos, use the built in navigator when i get lost, etc...The only thing I would have to complain with this phone is that it freezes a few times a week and I have to restart the phone atleast once a week to make sure it runs smoothly.

Excellent phone - People who have issues need to Upgrade to BELLE software!! – I got this USED from ebay for my wife as she is not very tech savvy and she needs a simple phone. The phone was originally locked to OPTUS (optus does not provide the Belle update for its customers in Australia) So those who had it locked had no choice but to use the old and slow Anna Software. Anyway I found out online on how to root the phone,… Read more

and that allowed me to update it to the newest Belle software.

The software is amazing, completely redesigned from scratch it is so responsive, no lag, no freezing issues.

Everyone who complains about software problems they obviously are unable or have not upgraded to the Belle software. I know Optus never provided an upgrade option for their customers so only way is either to take it to a Nokia store or Root it yourself by searching online!

With Nokia you also get Nokia Maps, which includes free GPS, for all countries in the world!! (Very handy when travelling). Beautiful Design - Hot swappable microSD & SIM card - HD Video recording - Excellent Belle software - Carl Zeiss Lens with flash - Free Lifetime NOKIA maps with GPS Non removable battery - Nokia store not on par with iphone & Android - do not expect near as many apps.

Bad – Just got one of them last week, decided to give up Samsung WAVE for the N8, but now I regret. First the touch screen works only on true skin touch, so I am not able to use pen or sharp object to write or activate anything, as a result trying to type correctly on the tinny on screen keyboard is very difficult. Then try to setup Wi-fi, my home wi-fi… Read more

use static address, hidden ID, WAP and MAC filtering. Spent almost an hour with web searching in order to locate these programming items, they are everywhere, just cannot be done within one screen just like a notebook computer, and user guide does not mention them at all. Then it does not have true unicode font, so I can only display English, but not CJK which I need, trying to source language pack, but none available from the web, it is just not designed for that. There are forum about hacking the font files, tried for a day, no luck. Last, battery is built in, cannot be replaced by yourselves. From experience if we use the phone on web heavily, the battery will not last for two years, so that means I will get another burn in changing battery next year. So the best way to describe this is, apple and google put a computer into a smart phone, but Nokia put a phone into a tiny computer. 1. Stylish, otherwise not much 1. touch screen requires finger touch, hard to use

2. no true unicode font, cannot display language other than the country you bought it

3. Wi-fi programming is very difficult

4. Build in battery, cannot change yourselves

Bad – The Nokia N8 shows that Nokia needs to do something quickly to get itself back into the leading mobile phone makers market. This phone is not bad for its price and functionality but the performance is quite poor. The software needs work. This makes the Nokia N8 just another average phones. The camera is quite decent but this is still far below par… Read more

of what considers as a smart phone. To sum up, if you don't expect a lot, you might be happy with this phone. Not bad camera. Expandable storage up to 32GB. Average design. Cheap body feels. Bad performance. Still use Symbian which is very outdated. Bad software.

Good – I was very excited to get my hands on the N8, more for the video shooting capabilities than anything else. The N8 does not disappoint on this front! The quality is excellent, and with the ability to connect it to my HDTV via HDMI cable it is a joy to watch on the big screen! I was due to buy a Flip camera, but need not bother now. The big… Read more

downside though is that the rest of the phone is mediocre compared to other smartphones. It's still a great phone, but it lacks the grace and style of the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, so it feels clunky after having used those.

The battery life leaves a lot to be desired and the Ovi app store is certainly no match for the Apple store or Android's app store.

I love the phone for lots of reasons, like the Swype text entry and excellent GPS/map, but the web-browsing and social media integration misses the mark and as a result the phone is a bit of a disappointment. HD Video, Good Camera, Swype text entry, HDMI and USB compatible Internet browsing, battery life, app availability

OK – Good built, like the funky colours,like the phone as a phone use only. Wi Fi good. I purchased outright so not locked into a horrible plan. I am in process of looking at plan options. Have been with Optus since July 98 and have to say not impressed these days. Build as my last phone looked immaculate but stopped working just after 12 months.… Read more

Like N8 as a phone only. Camera is great but I didn't buy the phone for the camera. Wi Fi was easy to set up. Have our wi fi auto tuning in at home and others when out. Very few applications available via Ovi. You simply cannot compare their lot compared to what is available for the Iphone. Both Iphone and Nokia n8 have inbuilt batteries so both the same issue to replacement of such. Accessing applications from screens is very slow compared to Iphone. You simply cannot compare.

Good – I am a texter on a mostly texting prepaid plan so this phone works for me. I decided on the N8 over other options because of the camera which takes nice photos, actually better than my 12 megapixel Olympus camera. I love that it automatically connects to my home wifi and that I don't have to take a camera as well as phone with me anymore. I… Read more ·  1

am coming from a Blackberry back to a Nokia and the only thing I miss is the the speck check on texts.

I don't have an issue with the lack of available apps that others have mentioned as I only use the phone for texting, photos, Facebook and the odd phonecall. For my needs it is perfect. Touch screen, 12 megapixel camera, colour (I have green) and fits existing Nokia chargers.

I found a nifty clip on attachment for the car. Bit heavy and difficult to work out best settings for me and my prepaid plan.

No spell check.

I'm yet to get the navigator to be helpful in any way - it certaily isn't a TomTom replacement.

Best Nokia yet. Awesome phone + great multipurpose digital device – Had for almost 2 weeks and spent heaps of time coming to terms with all the N8's benefits and disadvantages. Overall, it is one of those things that when you learn how to use properly, makes life easier, and more entertaining. Was tossing up between iPhone's huge app support, Samsung Galaxy S, HTC Desire HD and Windows 7 phones. I crunched all… Read more

the important things to me in a spreadsheet to help choose the best and the N8 came out trumps. Forget the initial poor reviews and reviews from those not interested in learning it, this is one awesome device. With the Opera Mobile browser and Swype installed (both from Ovi store), plus the latest firmware update, and a few tweaks, this thing flies most of the time. Awesome free GPS with street names announced. Multi-tasking with copy/paste. 3D gaming. Car charger supplied free. HDMI out & ability to connect mouse/keyboard so can operate on TVs/projectors. Use as alternative to DVD player. Nice screen. Real photographic / HD video camera. Ovi store has heaps of games & apps, many free. Finally a small AC charger. Upgradable memory. Bluetooth to/from anything. Not locked into one portal (like iTunes). Very loud speaker. Tough construction. Good looking. Easily transfer data between other USB devices like memory sticks, other phones, computers. FM transmitter allows portable music where bluetooth doesn't exist. Occasional glitch or slowdown. Inconsistent user operation. Entering text/numbers into some screens requires additional taps. No video light. Loudspeaker gets very quiet by resting phone on bed or bunch of papers. Needs a bigger battery - all the stuff you can do with it means 1 to 1.5 days battery life.

One of the best phones I have ever had – Having owned mobiles for years (the first one I had was one with the box and corded handset!!) I read the reviews on this phone and one of the reccuring things negative about it was the 'poor' battery life. I have not had any problems, having got 5-6 days out of the phone. I turned off the vibrate function and dimmed the screen which has improved… Read more

battery life. I downloaded the 'swype' app and the Battery Monitor app which are very useful. The touch screen is accurate. The screen is very clear and I love the 12MP camera. At work (boat courses) I use the phone to record movies, then show them to students in the classroom using a projector. No drop outs on calls (I am with Optus) which is an improvment over my old phone (3). I live in a regional area. OVI maps is very useful although sometimes it sends you the long way around!! WAp and WIFI easy to configure. Clear screen, battery life, smart phone apps, accurate touch screen No dust cover on ports (clogg with pocket lint), can't get it off my wife sometimes!

Worst Nokia phone yet! – I have been a Nokia person my whole mobile phone user life having had some 15 different models and enjoyed them all. Even when they switched to the smaller charger jack I just took that as a bump in the road. Not anymore. The N8 is a piece of crap. My family purchased 4 of these phones and all 4 have the same operating problems. One phone was… Read more

exchanged with Vodafone and they admitted there was a problem with these phones randomly turning off. Well guess what, make that 5 phones that don’t work.

The touch screen is useless and freezes all the time, the Wi-Fi connection fails and is inconsistent, the Ovi store application now on 2 phones will not work and all the 4 phones randomly turn off when either making or recieving calls or in the middle of them.

Nokia’s response to this is for me to send the phones away. Now thats just great as we need these phones everyday for work and safety and Nokia will not replace them beforehand.

Mind you we are talking about phones that are only 4 weeks old!

Nokia said take them into the Nokia Service centre and see what they can. Well that’s just great, Nokia closed their store down here in Darwin 2 years ago so the closest store is in Brisbane. Gee just a short 3 day drive. Maybe they closed their store down a bit early and should have waited unti the N8 came out so they had more work to do.

If you think I am pissed off you would be correct!

If you like I can post the emails to and from Nokia just to show you how bad they treat their customers. I have read a lot of review sites and forums from around the world and I have read a response from the Nokia US PR Manager and she believes that millions of customers can’t all be wrong. Well I guess if they enjoy losing market share and credibility of their products they are dong a great job.

Vodafone now have just dismissed it and said they would send the phones away. They use to say an update will be coming soon via the Nokia website but I guess they released that they can’t get away with that anymore because there is too many crap N8′s out there.

In my opinion, don’t buy an N8, just go and buy something else that actually works.

Cheers Able to lock phone from side button See Opinion

A piece of garbage and I'm being polite – where do I start. It cuts out for no reason. Can't hold it to close to ear or it puts people on hold. Keyboard is too small for people like me with fat fingers. hearing people is difficult and no I don't have any hearing problems. Suppose should be grateful that I don't lose the call in the middle of a conversation. Now my sim card is stuck in… Read more

the phone. To top that off I lost all my photos and tues suddenly and now when I try to down load them back my memory is full. pretty amazing seening there is nothing in there. Looking to break my contract and get another phone as I rely too heavily on phone and this really crap.

Refer to opinion.

Not Nokia's Best phone – I love Nokia, I have always had nokia phones and in April 2011 I purchased the N8.....sadly it's not their best effort. I don't think it's very "smart" for a smart phone. Accessing emails and checking internet is long winded. Camera quality is quite good. Call quality cannot be faulted. Texting is difficult and long winded. If you want a phone… Read more

simply for calls then this is great, anything more than that I would probably stick to an iphone, they seem to have it all worked out Size, call quality is excellent and cannot be faulted. Battery life is quite good It's cumbersome and fiddly when doing anything apart from making calls. Touch screen freezes periodically and can only be corrected by turning phone off and on. Emails don't always sync, despite settings being correct, this can be corrected with turning phone off / on

love my nokia – my nokia n8 i only have one fault and that is that my 4 year old can use it lol.... love the phone takes great photos so handy if i forget the camera and the kiddos do something i need to make a life time memories. it has a built in gps which can be used for driving or walk :) great service reception, it has a to do list which you can set to… Read more

be on your main screen so every time you look at the phone its there reminding you to do it!!!

you can set up 3 home pages to have whatever you would like on them.... and really the list goes on and on on onononononononono :0) easy to use, easy to read, reliable, heaps of battery it lasts for ever my miss 4 can use it she likes calling her poppy :0)

Somewhat disappointed with this phone – Although it does have many features that I love, including the Qwerty keyboard for texting and many other features.. the original reason for me purchasing this phone was for the 12 megapixel camera. To me the camera is generally ok for still pictures but the automatic setting does not work for when an object or person is moving, even if it's the… Read more

slightest amount of movement. The picture is very blurred and I found the only way to fix that issue is to set the phone to "sport", which is truly a pain because when you're shooting children sometimes you just don't have the time to not only get to the camera mode, you rarely get to the sport setting just in case they move.

I also find the touch screen is very sensitive, I don't know how many times I've accidentally pressed the "hold" button with my face whilst on the phone talking.

Although I may recommend this phone for some features.. I am somewhat reluctant to recommend it for the camera features, which is one of the features of the phone that attracts most people to it. Battery life is superior to most phones I've had, qwerty keyboard for txting, large screen Not good for moving objects or people with the automatic setting

An improving experience – I upgraded from a Nokia 5800 Music express 12 months ago with Optus. I live in a marginal reception area and the N8 was not as sensitive. As originally shipped, the phone lagged being in 2 areas: the keyboard and the browser. This was easily resolved by installing Swype and Opera. It took me 10 minutes. I don't understand why so many users… Read more

kept complaining about these two issues when both were so easily fixable.

I managed to drop it once as the curved sides got slippery one time, but all worked fine.

I set up email, which works well, and added a few apps such as Soundhound and Internet Radio - which is great by the way. I can place the N8 next to my car radio and transmit audio to the car stereo.

I set up my wi-fi so that the lack of good data reception was less of an issue at home, but voice calls were limited to one end of the house.

When Optus/Nokia upgraded the firmware mid 2011 and again with Anna late in 2011 the N8 finally gained some more speed and a decent inbuilt browser. The GPS/maps is much improved, making my Tom-Tom almost redundant.

This year I ported to Telstra - they have a tower in my town - and reception is much better, so calls are now fine throughout the house.

I note that Nokia has a 24 month warranty, not 12 like Apple etc.

So, I beleive the N8 is definitely a good, but not great phone (the camera IS great). Reliable, usable features, great camera, radio transmitter Reception poor with weak signals, initial software issues, curved edges sometimes hard to hold

Well done – My wife and I flicked through a few phones but eventually agreed to go for the Nokia N8 as the camera was outstanding which is good when you try to shoot spontaneous pictures from your loved ones. For the standard use of it all features seemed to be well working. The deal with the phone was in the acceptable / reasonable price range. One of the… Read more

best phones in my believe. Good in your hand, clear screen, very good camera (best), easy handle, fully functional Nothing i can think of although battery did not last as long as i wished it to be.

Worst Phone Ever Had – Where to start ... despite service provider being Telstra, constantly cuts out and randomly goes out of range. Numerous and consistent issues with software. Touch screen not responsive. Constantly freezing and have to take battery out to re-start. If hold up to face will put calls on hold. I used to love Nokia but this model is a lemon. … Read more

Expensive, unreliable, bad design (bulky etc), touch screen not responsive, numerous software issues, cannot even hold at face when making calls as puts other end on hold! Overall terrible design.

Don't Even consider this phone – Was offered this phone through Optus when renewing contract. Received phone and within 2 days had to send it back as it would not hold a charge. Within 12 months the second handset died. It took a couple of weeks for it to be sent back to Nokia and told it would be replaced. The 3rd handset lasted only a couple of months before it to started… Read more

having problems. Cant access emails , cuts out and has terrible reception problems. Is difficult to use. Have to move through a couple of screens before you can assess some of the apps and utilities. Very disappointed as I have always been very happy with my previous Nokia products. Unfortunately I will be looking elsewhere for my next phone.

So may things. Numerous operating issues and failures.

Best phone I have ever owned – This phone has everything I need from a phone. I especially love the HDMI link as this is the only way to get HD quality out of the phone onto a TV. free gps, hdmi output symbian os - wish it was an android or windows phone

Hangs, can't remove battery, hard to use – I don't like it. The battery is not user replaceable in the manual. This only really became an issue when the phone hung while someone was ringing me and I couldn't answer it or turn it off. I had to let the battery go flat and then it cam up fine. Until the next time it hung. I don't think it is very user friendly. I have gone back… Read more

to a blackberry, more reliable and rock solid.

Unreliable, hangs, non user replaceable battery, hard to use.

Terrible – The Slideit app or Skype don't work well with this phone, check app reveiws. I have the Galaxy S and love it, my wife has the N8 and hates it, I guess she will have to wait for the plan to run out or flash up her old one. It makes phone calls. Everything else that the others said. If you want any other language other than English or Filipino.. forget it, Nokia won't let it be installed.