Nokia N8 vs. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

Attribute	Nokia N8	Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
Operating System	Symbian^3	Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Processor	680 MHz ARM 11	1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon
Display	3.5 inches, AMOLED capacitive touchscreen	4.0 inches, TFT capacitive touchscreen
Resolution	360 x 640 pixels	480 x 854 pixels
Camera	12 MP, Carl Zeiss optics	8 MP, autofocus
Internal Memory	16 GB	1 GB
Expandable Memory	MicroSD, up to 32 GB	MicroSD, up to 32 GB
Battery	Li-Ion 1200 mAh	Li-Po 1500 mAh

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia N8 and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 both offer unique designs and solid build quality. The Nokia N8 features a sleek aluminum unibody design that feels premium in the hand. It has a compact form factor with a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display and a physical home button. On the other hand, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 sports a more curvaceous design with a glossy plastic back. It has a larger 4-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display and touch-sensitive buttons for navigation.

While the Nokia N8 exudes a more premium feel, the Xperia X10 offers a larger display for those who prefer a bigger screen. Both devices are well-built and durable, but the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Display

The display is an important aspect to consider when comparing the Nokia N8 and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. The Nokia N8 features a 3.5-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels. It offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. On the other hand, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 boasts a larger 4-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. It provides sharp visuals and decent color reproduction.

While the Xperia X10 has a larger display, the Nokia N8's AMOLED technology offers better contrast and more vibrant colors. It ultimately depends on whether you prioritize screen size or display quality.

Camera

Both the Nokia N8 and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 come with capable cameras, but there are some notable differences. The Nokia N8 is renowned for its impressive 12-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash. It captures stunning photos with excellent detail and color accuracy. Additionally, it can record 720p HD videos with stereo sound.

On the other hand, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 features an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. While it may not match the N8's camera in terms of resolution, it still captures decent photos with good color reproduction. It can also record videos in 720p HD quality.

Both devices offer various camera features and settings, such as face detection, image stabilization, and geotagging. If photography is a priority, the Nokia N8's superior camera capabilities make it the clear winner.

Operating System and User Interface

The Nokia N8 runs on the Symbian^3 operating system, which offers a user-friendly interface with customizable home screens and widgets. It provides a smooth and responsive user experience, although it may feel slightly outdated compared to modern smartphone operating systems.

On the other hand, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 originally launched with Android 1.6 Donut but can be upgraded to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It offers a more modern and intuitive user interface with access to the Google Play Store for a wide range of apps and games.

While the Nokia N8's Symbian^3 OS may lack the app ecosystem of Android, it still provides a reliable and efficient user experience. However, if you prefer a more up-to-date operating system with a larger app selection, the Xperia X10's Android platform is the way to go.

Performance and Storage

When it comes to performance, the Nokia N8 and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 offer different hardware specifications. The Nokia N8 is powered by a 680 MHz ARM 11 processor and 256 MB of RAM. It may not be the most powerful by today's standards, but it still handles everyday tasks smoothly.

On the other hand, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 features a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and 384 MB of RAM. It offers snappier performance and better multitasking capabilities compared to the N8.

In terms of storage, the Nokia N8 comes with 16 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32 GB via a microSD card slot. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 offers 1 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32 GB as well.

If you prioritize performance, the Xperia X10's faster processor and additional RAM make it the better choice. However, if storage capacity is important to you, the Nokia N8's larger internal storage may be more appealing.

Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial factor to consider when comparing smartphones. The Nokia N8 is equipped with a 1200 mAh battery, which provides up to 12 hours of talk time and up to 390 hours of standby time on 2G networks. On the other hand, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 features a slightly larger 1500 mAh battery, offering up to 8 hours of talk time and up to 415 hours of standby time on 2G networks.

While the Xperia X10 has a larger battery capacity, the Nokia N8's more power-efficient hardware and operating system allow it to achieve longer battery life. If battery longevity is a priority, the N8 is the better option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Nokia N8 and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Nokia N8 excels in terms of design, camera capabilities, and battery life. It offers a premium build quality, an impressive 12-megapixel camera, and longer battery longevity.

On the other hand, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 shines in terms of display size, performance, and operating system. It features a larger display, snappier performance, and the more modern Android operating system.

Ultimately, the choice between the two devices depends on individual preferences and priorities. If you prioritize camera quality and battery life, the Nokia N8 is the better option. However, if you prefer a larger display and a more up-to-date operating system, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 may be the right choice for you.