Since we played with the Nokia N8 at the beginning of this week, we can’t help but think how great the design is. The unibody construction and aluminium casing is a particular highlight, and one that lifts the Nokia N8 even more above the norm. We’ve been looking at the way the Nokia N8 was designed – join us after the break to find out more…
The styling on the Nokia N8 is one area that Nokia has really hit the nail on the head – at least according to the people we’ve been speaking to. It’s not just the design of the phone that makes the Nokia N8 feel so special, however, but the way the company has gone about putting it all together.
Along with getting our hands on working Nokia N8 prototypes, and trying out the Symbian ^3 operating system, we were also lucky enough to get an insight into the way the Nokia N8 is made.
The case is made from a single piece of aluminium, for instance. Where other high-end devices – such as the Nokia N97 Mini – feature aluminium highlights, the main section of the body on the Nokia N8 is all metal, and the results are astounding.
With a sample Nokia N8 case – with no insides or components – we tried applying as much pressure as possible to the sides and back of the chassis. At no point was there any sign of flexing, highlighting just how tough the Nokia N8 actually is. With components inside, it’ll be even more rigid, proving one of the most robust smartphones on the market.
Check out our Nokia N8 hands-on review
Nokia has gone another step further, applying an anodising process to the aluminium. The resulting metal is surprisingly resilient to seemingly little things like keys or coins – we even tried dragging a key across the rear of a Nokia N8, with no signs of a scratch left behind afterwards. If you like to throw your phone in a bag or pocket with other kit, then this is definitely the phone for you.
According to the saying, God is in the detail, and this is another area that Nokia has got spot on. While the Nokia N8 is finished in a range of vibrant colours, the edges – such as around the buttons, or the raised section for the camera – are all diamond cut, showing the perfectly bright aluminium at its best.
The buttons and port covers have also been carefully thought about, with a mix of plastic and metal used. Although this may initially seem odd, it quickly becomes apparent that anything that can be removed is made of plastic – protecting your kids from sharp edges if they manage to break your Nokia N8 – and anything else is aluminium.
Overall, the Nokia N8 is a really impressive bit of kit when it comes to the design. We know, as we’ve tried one – but what do you think? Are you impressed with the styling? Do you prefer a metal finish to other materials? Leave a comment below and let us know.
