Nokia Lumia 800 Complete Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Nokia Lumia 800

The Nokia Lumia 800, launched in 2011, marked a significant step for Nokia as it partnered with Microsoft to adopt the Windows Phone operating system. This partnership aimed at revitalizing Nokia's presence in the smartphone market. The Lumia 800 stood out with its sleek design and robust build quality, complementing the unique features provided by the Windows Phone platform.

Design and Build Quality

One of the most striking aspects of the Nokia Lumia 800 is its design. The device features a polycarbonate unibody construction, which not only gives it a solid and premium feel but also ensures durability. With dimensions of 116.5 x 61.2 x 12.1 mm and weighing 142 grams, it is compact and fits comfortably in the hand. The choice of colors — Black, Cyan, Magenta, and White — adds a vibrant touch, catering to a diverse range of style preferences.

Display Technology

The device is equipped with a 3.7-inch AMOLED display featuring Corning Gorilla Glass protection. This ensures resilience against scratches and minor impacts. The resolution of 480 x 800 pixels delivers a pixel density of approximately 252 ppi, providing sharp and clear visuals. The AMOLED technology enhances color reproduction and contrast, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors, which is particularly advantageous for media consumption.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nokia Lumia 800 is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 processor, clocked at 1.4 GHz with a Scorpion CPU and Adreno 205 GPU. While the 512MB of RAM may seem modest by today's standards, at the time of its release, it was adequate for running the Windows Phone 7.5 Mango OS smoothly. The operating system itself was optimized to deliver fluid performance even on hardware that was not top-tier.

Camera Capabilities

The Nokia Lumia 800 features an 8 MP rear camera with autofocus, Carl Zeiss optics, and a dual-LED flash. This combination ensures that users can capture high-quality images with good detail and color accuracy. The camera is capable of recording 720p video at 30fps, making it a decent option for video recording. However, the absence of a front-facing camera might be a limitation for those looking to engage in video calls or take selfies.

Battery Life

Battery performance is crucial for any smartphone user, and the Lumia 800 is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 1450 mAh battery. This offers a standby time of up to 265 hours on 2G and up to 335 hours on 3G. The talk time is up to 13 hours on 2G and up to 9 hours and 30 minutes on 3G, while music playback can last up to 55 hours, making it quite dependable for everyday use.

Networking and Connectivity

The device supports GSM and HSPA technologies, with 2G bands covering GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and 3G bands including HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100. It offers network speeds of HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for wireless internet access, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR for connecting with accessories, GPS with A-GPS for navigation, stereo FM radio, RDS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Software and User Interface

The Nokia Lumia 800 came with Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, with an upgrade path to version 7.8. The Windows Phone UI was known for its live tiles and minimalistic design, which provided users with real-time updates and a refreshing change from the standard icon grid found on other platforms. The integration with Microsoft's services was seamless, enhancing productivity and connectivity for users who relied on Windows-based applications.

Audio and Multimedia

For audio, the Lumia 800 features a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The audio quality is decent, with voice quality and noise levels at 60dB and 59dB, respectively. With a mobile TV-like contrast ratio, media consumption is also a good experience. The device handled typical audio needs well, suitable for both calls and media playback.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Lumia 800 includes essential sensors like an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors contributed to the device's ability to offer a better interactive experience for users through various apps that leveraged these sensors for enhanced functionality.

Market Position and Conclusion

When launched, the Nokia Lumia 800 was priced at approximately 140 EUR, appealing to users looking for a mid-range smartphone with stylish design, reliable performance, and the unique Windows Phone experience. Despite its eventual discontinuation, the device helped to lay the groundwork for Nokia's Windows Phone lineup, contributing to the diversity of the smartphone market at that time. While it may not compete with modern smartphones, the Lumia 800 was a crucial step in Nokia's journey, remembered fondly by tech enthusiasts for its contribution to the evolution of smartphone design and functionality.