N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

My n900 was sent back to Carphone warehouse and I got a call today saying that they didn't know how long it would take for them to fix it, and that if I wanted I could get a brand new N8 or a Samsung Galaxy i9000.


So I have those two options, or I could get whichever one sells for the highest price on ebay, and using the money to get a secondhand n900.

Both handsets seem to be a bit of a step backwards from what I'm used to - even if I was offered the E7, which to me seems more like today's equivalent of the n900, that has a smaller resoultion for a start...

So I'm wondering what to do.

SOFTWARE:
Highest priority is something like mobilehotspot, ideally for free (This 'ideally for free' is going to be a running theme in my requirements)

Browser - I don't want to have to go from 'proper' internet that I'm used to on the n900 back to 'mobile' browsing, how do either of those two phones fare?

Email - multiple accounts, push notification, which phone does email better?

I don't play a lot of games really, but I would like an n64 emulator, a psx emulator, scummvm and possibly an amiga emulator. I loved playing via psx sixaxis, has anyone made this work for either of those phones?

Sunvox - is this out for either of those phones? For free?

I know I'm going to miss geeky hacky things like being able to switch to a linux desktop and run 'actual' programs like gimp etc, anything anywhere near that for either of those phones? (I swear if I see another advert for a 'photoshop app' on a phone someone's going to get it...)


HARDWARE
TV Out - the galaxy has this via 3.5mm jack same as n900. The n8 has hdmi out which is all well and good but my TV has no HDMI connector...

Keyboard - Lacking on both, I guess I could get a mini usb keyboard and keep it in my bag? (Or haggle for an E7...)

Processor - which is going to be faster for the stuff I do?

Memory - again, steps backwards - the n8 has 16mb and the i9000 has either 8gb or 16gb (or 32 gb?) both upgradeable with memory cards.

Screen size/Resolution - n8 has 3.5" 640 x 360 and the i9000 has 800 x 480 (that's more like it!)

Camera - 12mp on the n8 vs 5 mp on the i9000, but does it really make that much of a difference through a tiny lens? (seems like it does: http://www.blog-n8.fr/tests/comparat...s-i9000-02175/)


Did I miss anything?

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

The N8 has outstanding camera performance. Nothing, absolutely nothing else compares in a mobile device. If Nokia has done anything right, it's imaging.

I, personally, would haggle for an E7. It doesn't have the "raw power" that the N900 does, but it absolutely holds it's own as a phone and communication device.

If it comes down to straight resale? I feel that Galaxy S will sell better, but you'll have to HURRY as the S II will be making rounds on the resale market.

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

I'm thinking that it's fair to say that the E7 is the equivalent of my n900, well, more so than anything else out there at the moment. My worry is lack of software for thing's I've been relying on/enjoyed...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Can't seem to find an n64 or psx emulator for symbian :(

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

I'd say get the i900 over the N8. It's a proper smartphone vs a beefy-featurephone.

But if you can, try to haggle for the Desire Z, which is inferior to the i9000 in several aspects but its not too shabby. Plus it gives you a qwerty, and you can slap on a GameGripper for the emulators. The Desire Z has heaps of custom rom/community support, its the best choice other than a new N900.

edit: The T-Mobile G2 is the same thing as the Desire Z it just has the carrier branding. So if you cannot get either, grab whichever sells the highest on ebay/cg/etc and buy/trade for an N900 or a Desire Z/G2.

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Had a look at a friend's N8 yesterday. Not impressed, basically seems like a thinner touchscreen N95 with a better camera ie the internet isn't really the internet.

I reckon ebay and then another n900 is the way to go, especially if i can haggle them up to sending me an E7, which, to be fair is pretty much nokia's current equivalent both in features and RRP..

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

First I want to say that E7 Can't be compared to the N900 because of it'sraw power like hawaii said. It won't have features like multi boot to maemo etc.... And I don't like the keyboard.

N8 however is so slow. It lags at the homescreen when you switch between desktop. Out of the 3 (N8, C7, and E7) I think C7 is the fastest.

Your question is just a matter of symbian^³ or android. Just go with what would fit your needs and where you're going to be contended.

After all this and you still can't decides. Just a buy nokia 3210 :D

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Yep, when I say it is the equivalent I mean that in terms of trying to haggle to get them to send me one rather than an N8. As far as I can see they are pretty much the same phone, just that as far as resale value is concerned the E7 fetches an extra £100 or so pounds.

It wouldn't be so bad if there was actually something out there that was equivalent to the N900, I could just demand that...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Don't go for i9000 but go for i9100 instead.

Dual Cores 1.2Ghz
1024MB RAM
16GB internal or 32GB
MicroSD
8MP camera 1080p recording (back) + 2MP front
Super Amoled plus 4.3"
NFC
HDMI TV out, USB charging
FM Radio
Compass
Gyroscope
1650 mAh battery
Swype and voice to text.

list goes on...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

The Samsung Galaxy S II (i9100) will only have NFC in some markets. Probably in Korea and nowhere else.

Greetings.

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

HDMI out is a minus factor for me, unless it has TV out via a 3.5mm jack too...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Why is HDMI out a minus?
Its the new standard, it should be a bonus. I think you can get adaptors that plug into HDMI and convert to VGA or even RGB if your die-hard about it.

The original Galaxy S (i9000) and its variants (Epic, Captivate, Vibrant, Fascinate, Brazil, i9003) all have TV out through the headphone jack like the Nokia N95, so that will suit you.

Did you haggle for a Desire Z/T-mobile G2 ?

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

2nd hand N900 then... is there really another smartphone out that that can match or better the Nokia N900. I very much doubt it! ;)

Why did you send your N900 to the shop? What was wrong with it? Why can't they give you an N900 in return?

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

It's looking that way... I started to have USB port issues, didn't stop working entriely buy I had to put pressure on the connector in order for it to charge/ stay connected.

@Kangal: I know HDMI is the new standard, but my TV doesn't have it, and I'm not planning on upgrading at any point soon..

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRzyk_gw0a0

Ridge racer runs sloooow.....

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

1: TV OUT: The N8 does TV via the 3.5 jack AND HDMI

2: Processor, though the N8 is 680Mhz, the OS is GPU accelerated by the Braodcom GPU that does 32 Million polys per second.

3. Memory, the N8 has 16GB built in, you can order one from Nokia.com that has 32GB (16 built in with a 16GB card) for 1 dollar more than the one without, or bring your own 32GB card to the table.

4. Resolution: Yes the N8 has lower resolution but the screen is of such a high quality that it beats most other screens in clarity and color. I own a N900, HTC G2 and N8 and even with the lower res, the N8 screen wins in visibility, durability and color.

5. Camera: If you care about pictures and video at all, the N8 wins hands down AND the N8 has the LARGEST camera sensor of any phone, even larger than most point and shoot cameras, coupled with a real carl zeiss lens and the most advanced imaging software. Wait until you see the digital zoom for video. The N8 still beats phones from 2011. Here is a recent comparison:

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Sa...parison_id2744

NEGATIVES:

Application Selection. If you LOVE apps, go to Android. Symbian^3 has some of the same HD games and apps but Android is more americanized so you will have many apps that people and the media crave. That is just the truth. The N8 loses on that one. I have the latest HD games for my G2 yet my N8 has early 2011 HD games.

Application loading/installing lags:

Symbian^3 lags at times (as does EVERY OS) but this is usually dealling with installing or launching certain apps.

Web: GET THIS STRAIGHT: NOTHING COMPARES TO MICROB. Nothing. You will lose the gestures and everything. The android web browser is better than the stock symbian^3 browser. Truth. There is opera for Symbain^3 and it is fantastic, yet without flash. Even with Flash 10.3 on Android, it is still a Mobile Web Browser and not a destop browser like Microb.

Conclusion:

If less application lag (NOT UI LAG), more apps, but WORSE hardware Go Android. The Android ecosystem is more active. Sure, the device itself may not be top notch but you cannot deny the driving force behind Android.

If apps are less important (like Pandora) but the best hardware and best camera (intelligent digital zoom for the win). Go for the N8. It is also a great media player with dual TV out (3.5 AND HDMI) and Dual charging (mini pin AND micro USB) and USB OTG Nothing beats the quality and value of the N8.

Finally, I have no problems with push email on either devices. You NEED a gmail account with Android, with Symbian^3, you don't need anything, though I would advise using your Ovi account as it logs in for the whole device.

I'll write more later...time for lunch!

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Out of the blue, just got a call from carphone warehouse, my phone has been fixed!

Just collected it to discover it's covered in scratches all, over the screen.. :(

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Aww... Did you let them know about the scratches? That is one problem that you wont have to worry about with the n8 due to it's thick gorilla glass screen. Oh and all gorilla glass is not made the same. As usual, Nokia uses a higher grade gg than competitors.

I hope CW acknowledges the damage.

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Wasn't exactly pristine when I left it with them, but that's not the point...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Complain about it ... its not going to cost anything. They'll replace the screen to a brand new one. If not they will hand you out a brand new N900, or let you choose "a similar device" (like I said Epic 4G/Desire Z are better choices than the N8).

If you dont you'll be stuck with a scratched N900 :(

---------------
Actually that seems to be running on a bad custom rom, that probably has several demanding apps running in the background and with an early release of psx4droid.

If you try the stock rom or a custom rom with correct drivers/kernel, and don't have much running in the background you should see an immediate improvement. In fact, forget that just grab a late version of FPSE (a port from the Windows Mobile PSX emulator) and it will run ~fullspeed. And if your still not happy with 60fps, just overclock it to 1.1GHz xP

(here's it running quite fast on a much slower Desire S)

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

Aaaaaaaaand broken again. Only properly this time...


Pah.... Shame the much rumoured N9 isn't out yet...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

What's broken?

Fixable?
Likely they will restore/replace it?
Thanks for the update, guess I got the lucky model ;)

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

USB port, unplugged cable and it actually became detached this time...

Going to get them to get me a new old stock n900, not at all interested in anything else...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

I now have a brand new N900.... Only now I'm scared to use it...

Re: N8 or Samsung Galaxy i9000? (Or secondhand n900)
 

ofcourse N900,only if you are a geek or wanna be . as simple as that .
buy a new one ;p ( winks ** )..