Nokia Lumia 800 Review

£440Dec 2011

Stuff says 5 Hot Buy

The 800 looks cool, feels cooler and has multimedia skills to rival those of the 4S

Images

Stuff magazine Tue, Dec 6 2011, 1:49PM

If anything can mount a challenge to the iPhone/Android status quo, it'll be this joint effort from Microsoft and Nokia. Nokia is renowned for its hardware styling and camera quality, Microsoft knows a thing or two about operating systems (see the Instant Expert panel), and between them they've created one of the most desirable phones we've seen in a long time.

Nokia Lumia 800 – build

Machined from a block of tough polycarbonate, the 800 feels great in the hand. There's no speaker panel to ruin the lines, just tiny holes milled into the side, and the screen melts into the body. Only a slight rattle from the buttons stops it having the soothing tactile solidity of a Zen worry stone.

Nokia Lumia 800 – in use

The Lumia's processor is tuned to 1.4GHz, but it's just a single-core. Despite that the user experience is breezy, with swipes being greeted with slick page transitions. The virtual keyboard is responsive and offers clever autofill options, but like the iPhone's, it feels a touch cramped.

Nokia Lumia 800 – battery life

Daily recharges are a fact of smartphone life, and this one's no exception. Nokia is usually strong on battery, but the Lumia 800 can begin to flag as the day goes on – especially if you're using it a lot and taking advantage of key features, such as instant email delivery.

Nokia Lumia 800 – the screen

It's a 3.7in AMOLED, to which Nokia's added its own ClearBlack display tech. The result is just as vividly colourful as the best AMOLEDs, though some rivals are a touch crisper. The screen's glass is slightly curved, making it feel good on the face.

Nokia Lumia 800 - the camera

True to Nokia's rep for making great camphones, the 8MP stills the Zeiss-lensed snapper produces are sharp and detailed with a realistic colour palette. It also provides neat effects and control options. Max video res is 720p and you can't zoom while shooting but footage is silky smooth.

If this is the standard of things to come from Nokia's new direction, it's well and truly back on track.

 

 

Promotional link: Click here for the latest Nokia Lumia 800 deals

 

Comments

  1. Miro123

    3 weeks ago

    msr microrocket lightest backpacking gear listcamping games for kids onlinemsr microrocket http://campfireworld.org/msr-microrocket.html hiking backpack sizing chart

  2. waynegp

    1 year ago

    i love this phone but i only had mine for a week then i dropped it and smashed the screen so not had the full benifit of the phone yet until i get it back but for what time i have had it for i love it

  3. mattymack

    1 year ago

    Try have a look at the HTC one x it'll blow this lot out the water

  4. JillAlexandra

    1 year ago

    I think Microsoft & Nokia will hard to beat Apple & Android.

  5. damianoog

    1 year ago

    It looks good.
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  6. classicbean9

    1 year ago

    I just bought lumia 800. i like the large icon style. And the firmware update makes it even faster and more battery efficient tas murah

  7. lianawillson89

    1 year ago

    Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us
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  8. mivpl

    1 year ago

    provides neat effects and control options. Max video res is 720p and you can't zoom while shooting but footage is silky smooth.San Diego kalifornien

  9. sl786982

    1 year ago

    offshore company in uae.Really nice looking phone impressive stats too, just a bit too big for my pockets.Well i suppose i could work around the problem if anyone wants to give me a nexus. http://www.offshore.ae

  10. Jambo6

    1 year ago

    I've been thinking of waiting for the iPhone 5 but this and the Sony Xperia are seriously tempting me.

    If you could choose one out of the iPhone, Sony or Nokia waht would you go for? Or should i just be going for the iPhone?

    Would be great to get some advice on this!

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  11. l.hauri

    1 year ago

    seems to be a good gadget. I like it! Branson Timeshares

  12. rosemood

    1 year ago

    This website is very well made I like it, am thinking of getting a website made and this looks great. T5 LED Tubes

  13. Thomas13

    1 year ago

    The slim, simplistic design and soft-touch plastic back are nice touches. San Diego painters

  14. carlbug

    1 year ago

    I really like following your blog as the articles are so simple to read and follow. Excellent. Please keep up the good work. Thanks. surrey bouncy castle hire

  15. l.hauri

    1 year ago

    like you said above... it is an interesting combination. I have one and I am really pleased. yacht charter

  16. Stemers

    1 year ago

    This website is very well made I like it, am thinking of getting a website made and this looks great. I think i may follow the same path. Colon Cleansing , Colon Cleanser

  17. danman

    1 year ago

    i think this is one of the greatest phones ive come across. only thing im pissed off about is that tmobile dropped it t 40$ after i bought it for 200 for my upgrade! that was annoying womens car insurance

  18. Khalidsaeed

    1 year ago

    I have got one almost 4 weeks old now, everything is very good, screen, interface,etc.
    but still lack of front camera, cant use skype on it, not very good applications available and some available they cost you a fortune...battery is better now after last update but application list got crumpy...
    Misrosoft need to put more efforts to improve software, and Nokia to improve Hardware....

  19. madstock

    1 year ago

    I've been using one for a little while now, and it is by far and away the most intuitive, well-thought out handset that I have ever owned. The launch with deadmau5 was pretty special, too: http://www.nokiasource.co.uk/l/1fp

  20. zimcos

    1 year ago

    Nice phone but still the Nokia n900 is better. Too bad it was and it will be on a test market and they will not improve it. Windows OS for mobile phones is mainly avoided by the buyers.

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  21. Growler Rob

    1 year ago

    I was due an upgrade and was going to go for an HTC model of some description but then I saw this was coming out...
    The biggest complaint I have is that the required Zune software doesn't have an equaliser on-board and the sound, even through very good earphones, is flat and lifeless and with no bass to speak of. Hopefully this will be addressed.
    It's a fantastic piece of engineering design and such an object of beauty that my wife, who has hated every touch-screen phone she's tried, loved it immediately - from it's look and feel, to the brilliantly fluid and intuitive UI.
    I can't wait to see what Nokia's forthcoming Windows 8 tablet will be like.

  22. drof

    1 year ago

    Rumours are that a software update out today will bring increased battery life and WiFi sharing.

    http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2011/12/07/nokia-lumia-800-update-better-battery-and-wifi-sharing/

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Tech Specs

Main camera resolution
8MP
Screen resolution
480x800
Screen size
3.7in
Storage
512MB
Video resolution
720p

Instant expert

Tony Horgan's picture

Tony Horgan

Instant expert
Windows Phone 7
The Lumia 800 runs on Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system, specifically version 7.5, aka Mango. It was already a neat interface but the latest update adds some cool features. For a start there's integration of all your messaging and social networking in one place. A built-in app called Local Scout offers info on nearby bars, shops and tourist attractions. A new feature within the tiles section is one called "Me", which gives you a round-up of what everyone is saying about you online.

Worky types will love the mobile version of Microsoft Office that's preloaded, along with great email support via Outlook Mobile.

But still it's the apps that let down the OS as a whole. The quality is OK, but the quantity just isn't there yet. If it's apps you want, Android and iOS are way out in front.