Nokia N8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S2: All you need to know

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By Alex Bentley on October 20,

2011 at 00:00,

Over a year since it was first released, the Nokia N8 is still a world-beating smartphone. Packing more than enough features and value for money to rival any of the latest devices, we thought we’d put the N8 up against the Samsung Galaxy S2 to see just how the two devices compare if they go head-to-head.

Nokia N8 one year on: 10 features that still define this flagship smartphone

The most obvious place to start is by looking at the Nokia N8 and Samsung Galaxy S2’s cameras. With the N8 effortlessly holding on to its title as the world’s best camera-phone more than twelve months after its initial release, it is by far the handset to beat when it comes to high-quality photography and, unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S2 can’t even come close.

While the Nokia N8’s camera packs a stunning 12-Megapixel sensor and high-quality Carl Zeiss lens, letting you enjoy the sharpest and most vivid photos possible, the Samsung Galaxy S2 only features a humble 8-Megapixel camera. Lacking the detail or finesse of the N8’s world-leading smartphone camera, the Galaxy S2 is not the ideal choice if you want to take the best quality photos.

It’s not just sensor and lens quality that the N8 has the edge on, either. With its superb macro-mode letting you get up close and take the most finely detailed photographs possible on a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S2’s camera can’t even hope to match the Nokia N8 when it comes to getting the most intricate snaps of even the smallest subjects.

And, while both the Nokia N8 and Samsung Galaxy S2 let you record high-quality video with ease, only the N8 makes it equally easy to connect to your HDTV to enjoy your video on the big screen. While the Galaxy S2 needs you to buy a separate HDMI adapter and cable to get connected, the Nokia N8’s HDMI port and included cable let you get connected straight out of the box.

When you want to stay entertained on the move, the Nokia N8 also has the edge, when compared to the Samsung Galaxy S2. With its on-demand WebTV support, you can easily enjoy your favourite TV shows wherever you go, without having to first record them and then convert them for playback on your handset, or connect it to a compatible TV to stream content.

And when you want to back up files from your Nokia N8 or share them with friends, without having to first find access to a PC or laptop, the Nokia N8’s USB On-The-Go technology lets you connect an external storage device and transfer files wherever you are. Helping you share and protect your essential files, no matter where you go, the N8 again has the edge over the Galaxy S2.

With the Nokia N8 still holding its own against its rivals more than a year after its release, the Symbian-powered handset is a fantastic smartphone and hard to beat. And with prices now better than ever, it’s never been so easy to bag yourself the world’s best camera-phone. Stay tuned, as we’ll also soon be comparing the best contract and SIM-free deals you can find for the Nokia N8 when compared to the Samsung Galaxy S2.

Tags: Camera comparison Nokia N8 Samsung Galaxy S2

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Andy

How can this be called “All you need to know”? The camera is only a small part of what a mobile is like to use….
http://epiphenom.fieldofscience.com/ Tom Rees

Well, here in the UK you can get the N8 at £26/month, vs £31 for the S2. But the E7, which is what I really want, costs an excruciating £36 for the same data plan. It’s a shame, because now it looks like the Xperia Pro won’t be available on contract, the E7 is the only keyboard slider in the game. But the keyboard is not worth a £240 premium (24 month contract) over the N8, especially given the mediocre camera. I’m not going to buy it on principle
Lol

How is this all you need to know? All you write about is the camera
http://twitter.com/tazh89 tazh89

lol is all i got to say…the only good thing about the n8 is its camera, elsewhere the gs2 laughs at the n8…
Chatter

Have both devices. N8 beats the S2 hands down. You can argue that the S2 is a more powerful device, however symbian S^3 OS has no need for powerful hardware. The screen on the S2 is amazing though and does pip the N8. Functionality, ease of use, decent build quality and a good camera keeps the N8 in my pocket!
Alistair Lumb

I cannot say how embarrased I was to recommend the N8 to my wife I’ve been a symbian fan since Psion 3 days. We both have IT backgrounds and both found the N8 so absolutely frustating than it nearly went through the window. On the other hand I bought a cheap Android 2.2 device for less than 100 pounds including a 16gb card, and was as happy as a pig in sh**. It does everything I could ever want including reading my ebooks to me. (handy when driving). Keep your N8s though because they will be museum pieces soon!
Prateekcool007

Not to start any Controversies here.. But I could not stop myself (S2 owner) from posting here, because, this article was IM’d to me by a friend (N8 owner). And both of us keep cribbing abt how a** kicking our phones our.
Starting with the articles highlight: “Nokia N8 one year on: 10 features that still define this flagship smartphone”
1. 12 MegaPix Camera. Macro Mode photography – ok I agree. its awesome.

2. Easy HDTV connectivity – I will say author calls an in box packed HDMI cable as EASY.
You have MHL in GS2. as well as you have All Share (DLNA magic ) in S2 too. N8 sucks here.

3. The only point I see here is “lets you connect straight out of the box”. Now tell me, if a Guy has an HDTV. I bet 70% probablity the TV will have WiFi/Ethernet too. DLNA rocks….

4. onDemand WebTV – I will spare the debate over here. Everyone knows WebTV is just an App.
there are 1000′s of such things for other smartphones. (GoogleTV)

5. USB OTG – Duh. SGS2 has it from Day one too. So the point again comes back to “In box packed Cable”. “Day One connectivity”. Author seems to be a Cable Guy. lol

Where are my other 5 points.

Here they Are:

1. Author Says “And, while both the Nokia N8 and Samsung Galaxy S2 let you record high-quality video with ease, ” Nokia N8 records THE GREAT 720p (half HD) while SGS2 has only 1080p (Full HD)… ohh poor GS2 you record better quality.

2. N8 has Easy HDTV connectivity only THROUGH CABLE. No DLNA.

3. Anodised Chassis… Metal Body. Dude you wanna carry a Brick in your pocket. GS2 is light as a feather. What about the thickness of phones?? S2 is the slimmest phone (after Galaxy Nexus).

4. Looks – No comparison here. He He. coz the Author knows it. I dont have anything to say. Just search for Images of both the phones and decide for yourself. Which one Looks Cheap and stone age designed and which one is Sci-Fi.

5. Android vs Symbian OS is not a point to be discussed. Android is Light Years ahead of Symbian. Be it GUI, Touch responsiveness. App count.

6. Processors?? Author chucked this point away saying Symbian doesnt need high speed processing. Why?? Coz Symbian itself is a slow responding OS.

Last but not the least:

If Android was not so happening thing then Why is the Symbian Belle… so look alike of Android?
Lazardanlucian

phones are for calling, see? every phone can handle that.
Dd

s2 rocks