PhoneReport analyses and compares the Nokia N82, Nokia N95, Sony Ericsson K850i Cybershot, Samsung SGH-G800 live!

As the 8 megapixel camera-phones start making way to the markets, it's time to look back and analyse the world's best 5 megapixel camera-phones. This isn't just useful to remind ourselves of the manufacturers' fierce battle, but also for the consumers who cannot wait for the 8 megapixel camera-phones, and need the best in the market NOW. If you won't be able to afford the Sony Ericsson C905 Cybershot, or Samsung i8510 INNOV8, or even the rumoured LG KC910 this comparison review is for you as well. Nokia and Motorola and keeping quiet about their possible future 8 megapixel camera-phones, as Motorola just released the ZN5, and Nokia is going to soon retail it's flagship N96.

We might see a new flagship from Nokia with an 8 megapixel camera by next year, hopefully a touchscreen, but until then, the INNOV8 will have taken over Nokia's territory, with Nokia's own user interface!

The only way to really keep up with all the features on this phone is to rank them as we discuss their features. We will create a Top 4 wherever possible, and in the conclusion, decide which one of them is the best camera-phone in the world.

The phone's boxes remind us of the manufacturers because all have the same layout, besides the K850i. This is a lack of originality. The G800 has the same slim box that we find in many Samsung phones, and the tray is of low quality as well. There is no eye-candy. The Nokia N95 and N82's boxes are of the same layout of other NSeries = boring! The K850i has quite a creative box, which was discussed in its review.

1. Sony Ericsson K850i
2. Samsung SGH-G800
3. Nokia N82 and N95

Picture: N82, K850i, G800 boxes

Picture: N82, K850i, G800 boxes

Picture: N82, K850i, G800 boxes

Picture: N82, K850i, G800 boxes

In terms of design, both the N82 and K850i have a candybar form factor, and look like competitors. The K850i is full of details, as it is described on its hardware review, and the N82's presentation is simple and smooth. The K850i's design is definitely the winner here, and even though you can consider this opinion quite subjective, you have to note that details are very important in the design, and the K850i has the upper hand there. If you really like smooth and simple, the N82 will be for you, but for me, it feels like a box in front of the K850i. Both phones attract fingerprints, as they have glossy surfaces, but the N82 has a full gloss front, unlike the K850i, which owing to the its short space, doesn't show as much marks on its surface.

1. K850i
2. N82

Picture:K850i and a N82

Picture:K850i and a N82

Picture:N82 on a K850i

Picture:N82 on a K850i

Picture:N82 on a K850i

Picture:N82 and a K850i

Picture:N82 and a K850i

Picture:N82 and a K850i

Picture:N82 and a K850i

Picture:N82 and a K850i

The N95 will rather face the G800 which has a slider form factor. The N95 has a dual-slider function, and the keypad is worth of a notice as it feels just great. The G800 loses the battle with its one-piece keypad, which may feel easy to type in, but it's very slow after few seconds. The multimedia keys on the N95 provide an advantage, and when it comes to camera keys, the G800 has the most attractive one, but the N95's camera key is larger, which is more ergonomical. Between  the N95 and G800, I believe the N95 has a better design, as its only downside is the slide, which hasn't got a spring.

1. N95
2. G800

Picture:N95 8GB and G800 keypad

Picture: N95 8GB and G800

Picture:N95 8GB on a G800

The camera lens covers are all different from each other. The N82 has a lens cover which is operated by a switch which is slid. The N95 also has a switch which is slid, but has levels on it for grip, and is placed in a round form. The G800 has a massive block covering the whole camera section, this adds weight and occupies space. The K850i has an electronic cover which acts upon the press of a button.

1. K850i
2. N95
3. N82
4. G800

Picture:K850i, N95 8GB, N82, G800 with camera lens cover closed and them opened

The memory card slot of each of the phones is also very different. The N82 has a rigid and large slot, which doesn't fingernails for removal, while the N95 has a small slot, which also doesn't need fingernails, but is very fragile. The G800 has a small slot, which also doesn't need any fingernails for removal. The K850i has the memory card in the same place as the SIM card cavity, and is spring based.

1. K850i
2. N82
3. G800
4. N95

The Nokia N82 has a 1050mAh battery, while the Sony Ericsson K850i has a 930mAh battery, the Nokia N95 has a 950mAh battery, and lastly, the Samsung G800 has a 1000mAh.

1. N82
2. G800
3. N95
4. K850i

The Nokia N95 and N82 are the only phones with GPS and a smartphone operating system, Symbian OS, portraying Nokia's trademark User Interface, S60. As we spoke on the Sony Ericsson K850i software review, the phone has a multitasking software which is quite advanced, but even then it cannot compare with Symbian OS, although it surely stays ahead of the Samsung G800's software, which has no multitasking functionality, besides in the music player, and is far away from a complex smartphone operating system. The N82 takes the first place as it comes with a more recent software package which includes built-in geo-tagging.

1. N82
2. N95
3. K850i
4. G800

On multimedia terms, NSeries are known to perform excellently as all of them have a range of applications installed in their S60 platform, and the latest addition to that pack is NGage gaming platform. The K850i did quite well on that side as it has various applications on its entertainment folder, and the media program is very smooth. The G800 on its side has a satisfactory media player, but its speakers are way too soft. The NSeries once again take the price, but between the N82 and N95, it's the N95 with a larger display and very loud speakers that takes the prize home. Both these NSeries play flash videos, such as the ones from the YouTube website, which still counts for multimedia.

1. N95
2. N82
3. K850i
4. G800

Picture: G800, N82, K850i, N95 8GB

Picture: G800, N95 8GB, K850i, N82 stacked up for size and object placement comparison

Picture: N82, N95 8GB, K850i, N82 stacked up for size and object placement comparison

Picture: G800, N95 8GB, K850i, N82 stacked up for size and object placement comparison

Picture: N82, G800, N95 8GB, K850i

On the connectivity side, once again the NSeries phones are the on the top of the rankings as besides having Bluetooth 2.0 and HSDPA like the other phones, they have WLAN which is a must in developed countries. GPS is also part of connectivity, and the N82 has a full two-year navigation licence for it. I should mention that the G800's HSDPA speed is of 7.2mbps, making it any faster of the other phones. As the other phones have HSDPA but not WLAN, I should place the G800 in the third place, in front of the K850i. As for our Bluetooth tests, the K850i stood in front of all the phones, and the G800 behind, but the HSDPA speed should be enough to compensate for the loss and bring it back to the third place. Well, the K850i surprised me as I was browsing the settings, because you can set it to use a computer's internet connection for the phone, which means that the K850i won 2-1 against the G800 = Bluetooth speed + internet connection vs HSDPA speed. I could very well bring it over the NSeries devices but these have very powerful weapons: GPS and WLAN, so I'm going to stay away from the first and second place.

1. N82
2. N95
3. K850i
4. G800

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