K800i vs. N73, Which is better for you….
________________________________________
First off, I’ve been a bit lazy… I have 3 reviews that I started and never bothered to finish (n80, m600, k800i) but I’ll try to get through this one. I’ll mainly comment on the things that are most important to me so if there are things you’re looking for feel free to ask.. I’ll have the n73 for another day before I pass it along to my cuz. Thanks for being my sponsors guys without you guys I wouldn’t have my k800i and n73. (you know who you are)
Gonna try something different too as I’ll put a score next to each category for each phone (we’ll see how it goes.)
Size:
Both very similar in size, the k800i feels a touch heavier but it is actually slightly smaller and shorter. But it does have the cybershot lens cover hunchback. Which doesn’t really bother me but many people have complained about it.. honestly, in my pocket they both feel the same. The n73 feels like a bigger phone in your hand though cause its like an upside down trapezoid. The face of the phone gets wider which gives you the perception that the phone is larger the k800i Either way for the features these both pack size should not be an issue.
N73 8.5/10
K800i 8.5/10
They both lift in the opposite directions
Build/looks
Well those of you who know me have heard me complain about the n73’s looks. It reminds me of a typical ms smartphone like the audiovox 5600. Now this might not be a bad thing but I don’t like the look. I’ve gotten used to the looks now but still prefer the k800i look. A few people have mentioned the n73 looks unbalanced and I tend to agree but then again it is a massive screen.
When I first saw the k800i I thought it was butt ugly too.. the web spy pics looked better then the real ones. And that damn cybershot sticker ruined the phone. Thankfully someone scrapped that idea. But after you pick up the phone it changes everything.
K800i has the perfect blend of materials a little e398 rubber on the back, nice n80 aluminum finish in the front. A little shine a little matte just gives it a distinct business class device. Almost like a little moto, nokia and se all rolled into one. The build is solid virtually no creaking. The only area with a little play is the camera shield which is expected.
The N73 is well built too but has a little creak a bit. The main cause is the camera cover since it moves a tiny bit and creaks/rattles in the process (think 6682 cover but extended). Right between the screen and joystick also creaks a little if you press on it. The battery portion of the cover though seems quite solid. Overall the build is great but didn’t give me that lasting impression. For comparison sakes I like the look and feel of the n70/2 more.
Keypad/joystick
K800i’s is bigger and more clicky, the rubber is nice.
N73’s is smaller and more smushy but has a smoother flow when smsing.
Both joysticks are quite responsive the n73 feels softer, the k800i’s feels the same as the k750/w800 and I’m concerned about it breaking down. (not saying it will but I guess I’m haunted by the past. (Supposedly the mechanism was redesigned.)
Overall build
N73 8.5/10
K800i 9.5/10
Screen:
Now here you have to decide do you want size or quality….
Both are qvga screens but the n73 screen is massive. The n73 screen is excellent for it’s size (meaning very little pixilation) but when comparing against the k800i. the k800i screen is sharper and the colors are deeper and more realistic. The n73 tends to be a little washed out. (you would only notice this by comparing though) both screens are excellent in the sunlight.
N73 9.5/10
K800i 9.5/10
UI
Hmmm.. well I think both UI’s are rock solid. Both have their strengths and weaknesses.
So let’s strip out the third party app components for a sec
Phonebook s60 is more versatile (auto voicedial setup and more catgories, se has the little things (better sim management and better PIC display (yes this is important to me I hate that stupid dinky sized thumbnail nokia uses.) finally full screen caller has been released!!!)
Boot up time on the n73 is slow
Menu navigation SE is generally faster going everywhere. Both are logical but s60 offers more customization.(multiple folders moving icons around etc..)
I like the SE icons better.
Calender both are pretty much the same now that se has added reoccurring events. Just depends which you prefer.
File manager..s60 didn’t bother to fix the mark several process. To mark multiple files evolves way too many key presses.
Both have solid task managers and multitasking abilities. I can play music, games and sms on both phones with ease.
SE is t9 King!!!
Of course with s60 third party apps will give edge over any fixed UI.
N73 9.0/10
K800i 8.5/10
I’m getting lazy so I’ll wrap this up soon.
Multimedia:
Music
My biggest annoyance with my previous s60 phones is gone! I’m happy to say that the n73 does not suffer from the constant stuttering and skipping when multitasking on the phone. The 2 n80’s I had were not able to accomplish this as they stuttered constantly.
The n73 also sounds less tin can like now. The quality is decent but I personally feel that the se interface and playback quality is better.. especially since SE added the fade in/out component. The se also has more useable music keys which makes life more convenient.
N73 8/10
K800i 9/10
Video playback
Both play files well using HQ mp4 (~350+kbps), both were able to handle the best files with no lag.
But going back to the screen.. if you want big go with n73 if you want better quality go with k800i.
N73 9.5/10
K800i 9.5/10
Camera:
Overall the SE UI is easier to use and the flash is great.
For video recording the n73 easily wins cause video recording on the k800i is pathetic.
Here’s a boat load of pics.. decide for yourself…. But the n73 seems to not be representing the colors properly and the night shots seem to be very “oil painting like” I’m sure that will be addressed in future firmwares though.
________________________________________
First off, I’ve been a bit lazy… I have 3 reviews that I started and never bothered to finish (n80, m600, k800i) but I’ll try to get through this one. I’ll mainly comment on the things that are most important to me so if there are things you’re looking for feel free to ask.. I’ll have the n73 for another day before I pass it along to my cuz. Thanks for being my sponsors guys without you guys I wouldn’t have my k800i and n73. (you know who you are)
Gonna try something different too as I’ll put a score next to each category for each phone (we’ll see how it goes.)
Size:
Both very similar in size, the k800i feels a touch heavier but it is actually slightly smaller and shorter. But it does have the cybershot lens cover hunchback. Which doesn’t really bother me but many people have complained about it.. honestly, in my pocket they both feel the same. The n73 feels like a bigger phone in your hand though cause its like an upside down trapezoid. The face of the phone gets wider which gives you the perception that the phone is larger the k800i Either way for the features these both pack size should not be an issue.
N73 8.5/10
K800i 8.5/10
They both lift in the opposite directions
Build/looks
Well those of you who know me have heard me complain about the n73’s looks. It reminds me of a typical ms smartphone like the audiovox 5600. Now this might not be a bad thing but I don’t like the look. I’ve gotten used to the looks now but still prefer the k800i look. A few people have mentioned the n73 looks unbalanced and I tend to agree but then again it is a massive screen.
When I first saw the k800i I thought it was butt ugly too.. the web spy pics looked better then the real ones. And that damn cybershot sticker ruined the phone. Thankfully someone scrapped that idea. But after you pick up the phone it changes everything.
K800i has the perfect blend of materials a little e398 rubber on the back, nice n80 aluminum finish in the front. A little shine a little matte just gives it a distinct business class device. Almost like a little moto, nokia and se all rolled into one. The build is solid virtually no creaking. The only area with a little play is the camera shield which is expected.
The N73 is well built too but has a little creak a bit. The main cause is the camera cover since it moves a tiny bit and creaks/rattles in the process (think 6682 cover but extended). Right between the screen and joystick also creaks a little if you press on it. The battery portion of the cover though seems quite solid. Overall the build is great but didn’t give me that lasting impression. For comparison sakes I like the look and feel of the n70/2 more.
Keypad/joystick
K800i’s is bigger and more clicky, the rubber is nice.
N73’s is smaller and more smushy but has a smoother flow when smsing.
Both joysticks are quite responsive the n73 feels softer, the k800i’s feels the same as the k750/w800 and I’m concerned about it breaking down. (not saying it will but I guess I’m haunted by the past. (Supposedly the mechanism was redesigned.)
Overall build
N73 8.5/10
K800i 9.5/10
Screen:
Now here you have to decide do you want size or quality….
Both are qvga screens but the n73 screen is massive. The n73 screen is excellent for it’s size (meaning very little pixilation) but when comparing against the k800i. the k800i screen is sharper and the colors are deeper and more realistic. The n73 tends to be a little washed out. (you would only notice this by comparing though) both screens are excellent in the sunlight.
N73 9.5/10
K800i 9.5/10
UI
Hmmm.. well I think both UI’s are rock solid. Both have their strengths and weaknesses.
So let’s strip out the third party app components for a sec
Phonebook s60 is more versatile (auto voicedial setup and more catgories, se has the little things (better sim management and better PIC display (yes this is important to me I hate that stupid dinky sized thumbnail nokia uses.) finally full screen caller has been released!!!)
Boot up time on the n73 is slow
Menu navigation SE is generally faster going everywhere. Both are logical but s60 offers more customization.(multiple folders moving icons around etc..)
I like the SE icons better.
Calender both are pretty much the same now that se has added reoccurring events. Just depends which you prefer.
File manager..s60 didn’t bother to fix the mark several process. To mark multiple files evolves way too many key presses.
Both have solid task managers and multitasking abilities. I can play music, games and sms on both phones with ease.
SE is t9 King!!!
Of course with s60 third party apps will give edge over any fixed UI.
N73 9.0/10
K800i 8.5/10
I’m getting lazy so I’ll wrap this up soon.
Multimedia:
Music
My biggest annoyance with my previous s60 phones is gone! I’m happy to say that the n73 does not suffer from the constant stuttering and skipping when multitasking on the phone. The 2 n80’s I had were not able to accomplish this as they stuttered constantly.
The n73 also sounds less tin can like now. The quality is decent but I personally feel that the se interface and playback quality is better.. especially since SE added the fade in/out component. The se also has more useable music keys which makes life more convenient.
N73 8/10
K800i 9/10
Video playback
Both play files well using HQ mp4 (~350+kbps), both were able to handle the best files with no lag.
But going back to the screen.. if you want big go with n73 if you want better quality go with k800i.
N73 9.5/10
K800i 9.5/10
Camera:
Overall the SE UI is easier to use and the flash is great.
For video recording the n73 easily wins cause video recording on the k800i is pathetic.
Here’s a boat load of pics.. decide for yourself…. But the n73 seems to not be representing the colors properly and the night shots seem to be very “oil painting like” I’m sure that will be addressed in future firmwares though.
