Nokia has finally released a new 8--- series phone. This is a long overdue update.
There are two versions, both are triband. The 8801 for the US , and the 8800 for EMEA. They are similar except for the third band each supports. It is a pity that Nokia still hasn't deigned to create a quadband phone, as more than 3 years have passed since that was an "innovation."
The Nokia has a slide action spring loaded cover which releases far more crisply (and quickly) than that of the 8910/8910i. Some reviewers dislike this, but it must be remembered that this sort of spring loaded action did make the protagonist in "The Matrix" look ridiculously cool. Note also that the spring action works when opening and closing the phone.
Nokia has finally released a new 8--- series phone. This is a long overdue update.
There are two versions, both are triband. The 8801 for the US , and the 8800 for EMEA. They are similar except for the third band each supports. It is a pity that Nokia still hasn't deigned to create a quadband phone, as more than 3 years have passed since that was an "innovation."
The Nokia has a slide action spring loaded cover which releases far more crisply (and quickly) than that of the 8910/8910i. Some reviewers dislike this, but it must be remembered that this sort of spring loaded action did make the protagonist in "The Matrix" look ridiculously cool. Note also that the spring action works when opening and closing the phone.
The phone is sheathed in stainless steel this time, and looks great. This is enhanced by the use of scratch resistant reinforced glass as a screen overlay, and a gorgeous TFT display which supports 262K colours and a 208*208 resolution. This will make the 8800 the highest resolution candybar Nokia phone which exists: Nokia S60 phones have a resolution of 176*208.
Apart from this, the phone supports Bluetooth and EDGE, and includes an FM radio (with support for the HS-12w, a new stereo wireless bluetooth headset), a 64MB mp3 player, video capture, and a 0.5MP camera. The resolution of the camera is not so hot, and the lack of expandability restrict the use of the mp3 player, but apart from these minor points the phone is a solid contender. It is unfortunate, however, in light of the fact that the upcoming Nokia 6230i actually manages to address these points with a 1.3MP camera and MMC card support.
The size and weight of the phone is respectable. While a tad heavy at 136g, similar to the Nokia 6680 at 133g, it is a fairly svelte 107 x 45 x 15.0-16.5 mm, 67 cc. This compares well to the 6230, which is at 103 mm x 44 mm x 20 mm, 76cc.
I'm sure Nokia will sell many of these. I'm dying to get one myself.
A final note is that Nokia USA has told mobileburn that each 8801 purchaser will receive a personalized, engraved stainless steel back cover for their new handset. Whether the rest of the world will get this is uncertain. The Nokia 8800 is expected to arrive in Q2, with the 8801 following soon after in Q3. The expected price of the phone is USD 750.
[Link1: Best collection of Nokia 8800 p0rn shots on the web]
[Link2: Video previs at www.howardchui.com]
