Nokia N81 8GB Cell Phone Review - Value & Comparisons
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Alfredo Padilla Published on December 27, 2007 Comment on this |
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Value (3.0)
As an unlocked device you know you're going to pay through the nose for the Nokia N81 and you won't be wrong. The Nokia N81 8GB is available directly from Nokia USA for $629. It's difficult to make value judgements in a situation like this because U.S. consumers just aren't used to paying full price for a phone. If the Nokia N81 was available from a carrier you'd probably pay in the $300 - $400 range, which is still expensive but more comparable to devices like the Sidekick LX or the iPhone. As it is you're talking about a device that is powerful, flexible and comes with 8GB of storage. On the other hand you can go out and pick up an AT&T Tilt for around $300 with contract, grab an 8GB MicroSD card for around $100 and still save yourself a couple of hundred dollars plus you get GPS functionality and a much better camera. Given that we can't call the Nokia N81 a good value, even for an unlocked device. Hopefully it will come down in price to a more reasonable $400 - $500 in the near future, we don't hold out hope that a carrier will pick it up.
Comparisons
Nokia N95 w/ US 3G - The US variant of the new N95 shares all the software upgrades we saw on the N81 and adds support for AT&T's 3G network, GPS functionality and a much better camera. On the other hand you'll be paying more for this, plus you have to factor in the cost of storage as the N95 doesn't come with 8GB built in. We call it a wash, if the storage and the savings are worth more to you than the additional functionality go with the N81, otherwise go with the N95.
Sidekick LX - If it weren't for price we'd say go with the Nokia N81 hands down. It's a much more powerful device and despite the fact that the LX has the slightly better of two terrible cameras, a larger screen and a QWERTY keyboard almost everything else is better on the N81. Price is always an issue, though, and given the N81 is over twice the cost of the Sidekick LX with a contract we can't recommend the N81 over it. Of course you can always find a third device that is both better than the LX and much less expensive than the N81, but that's a whole other review.
BlackBerry Pearl 8130 - The Pearl is a very nice smart phone. Small, attractive and running the powerful BlackBerry OS it gives the Nokia N81 a run for its money in terms of functionality. Throw in the fact that it's significantly less expensive, with prices ranging from $50 for older models to $199.99 with a contract, and we have to give the nod to the Pearl in this matchup.
T-Mobile Shadow - The Shadow is a Windows Mobile smart phone with an innovative home screen that makes it easier to use than the typical Windows Mobile device. It shares a slider form factor with the Nokia N81 as well as an all plastic construction, but it has a hybrid QWERTY keyboard rather than the typical phone keypad. The Shadow is also available for only $150 with contract, sealing it as the better value compared to the Nokia N81.
LG Venus - We like to throw at least one very different device in our comparisons for the sake of contrast, and the LG Venus is the one for the Nokia N81. The Venus is not a smart-phone and is best classified as a fashion phone. It's also a little on the pricey side given it's limited functionality, but of course it's nowhere near the Nokia N81's high price. If you're just looking for good looking and basic go with the Venus, if you want much more than that the N81 is the better choice.
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