The Nokia N8 and C7 have been available for quite a while in the market, and we’ve already brought you reviews of the N8, many photo galleries of it, and a separate gallery of the Frosty Metal Nokia C7. I happened to have both the silver N8 and the Frosty Metal C7 in my hands at the same time, so I thought I’d share a hardware tour comparison with you, explaining the key design differences between these otherwise slightly similar Symbian^3 devices.
For a more thorough comparison of both handsets, with specifications and daily usage impressions, you can check my earlier post: :Nokia C7: Buy it or go for the N8?
The N8 as well as the C7 are touchscreen candybar devices that feature a very prominent capacitive 3.5″ AMOLED display on the front covered by resistant glass. The N8’s is surrounded by a black edge while the C7’s has a silver metallic one that helps the device act a bit as a mirror when the screen is off. Above the screen are light sensors and proximity sensors on each handset. Below it, the N8 only features one hardware button on the left that lets you access the Menu, while the C7 has this button in the middle surrounded by physical Call and End Call keys. The N8 lacks these, and handling phone calls will have to be done through the touchscreen.
On the back, lies one of the main differences between these handsets: the N8 has its well-known protruding 12MP AutoFocus Camera with Carl Zeiss lens and a Xenon Flash, while the C7 has a very flat 8MP Fixed Focus EDoF camera with a Dual-LED flash.
Another significant difference in the design of these is that the N8’s main unit is made from one piece of anodized aluminum, while the C7 mixes white plastic and a metallic battery cover on its back. This explains why the C7 has a removable 1200 mAh battery while the N8 has the same battery inside but it is non-removable.
Alongside the battery, below the cover on the C7, sits the SIM card slot. The microSDHC slot isn’t visible because it is hidden below the battery and is hence non-swappable.
On top of both handsets is the power button as well as the 3.5mm headset plug. The N8 adds an HDMI-out port covered with a plastic flap, while the C7 has its microUSB port covered with a flap.
Another difference between both handsets shows in this image: while they do not differ significantly in length or width, that is not the case with the thickness. The N8 is a much bulkier handset and the camera bump even adds to that effect, while the C7 is a more streamlined device with curves to accentuate its thinness. Also prominent in this image is how the C7’s left side only has the small pin charger hole, while the N8 has its microUSB port, and the SIM card and microSDHC card slots covered by plastic flaps.
On the right side, both handsets have a camera button, a keylock switch, volume up and down buttons, but the C7 also adds a key in the middle of the volume ones, which allows easy voice dialing.
As mentioned in the beginning, the N8 and the C7 run Symbian^3 with its widgetized triple homescreen and many other software improvements over Symbian^1.
Here are a few more shots from different angles of both handsets.
What do you think of these two white/silver beauties? Are you tempted by light-colored phones or do you prefer darker ones with charcoal or black or dark silver colors that might be a bit more resistant to abuse?