Nokia 700 & 808 Pureview in NZ?

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PetAT

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Topic # 151244 19-Aug-2014 01:21

Why are the Nokia 700, 701 or the 808 Pure View type of phones not sold in NZ?? I saw some on ebay for hundreads of bucks some even going for 700 - 1000NZD. This can't be right? And then some under $100NZD from EU.

I bought an N9 and just not my cup of tea these "new smartphones" I am more comfortable with the Symbian Mobiles, Currently have a Nokia 5800 Xpress Music. I wanted a good phone for global roaming, something small yet with good features and simple. Music, Text, GPS, Calls & Pictures + Good Battery life. Really I am looking for a good sucessor to the X5800 which clearly isn't the N9 (Too fussy) and seems to be he Nokia 700 or 808 Pureview?

Thanks.

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Reply # 1111183 19-Aug-2014 11:23

Symbian was well out of vogue when those launched - they were available at the time through parallel import stores. NZtechfreak still has an 808 Pureview, and it's a truly amazing camera, but not a wonderful phone. The last major Symbian device released in NZ AFAIK was the N8.

You may be able to find people offloading them on TradeMe from time to time.

If you're not into Android, iOS, or Windows Phone, have you tried Blackberry 10? The gestures may be a little offputting if the N9 is frustrating you, but BB10 is a very competent operating system with Android app compatibility that offers some unique features not seen elsewhere - and unlike previous Blackberry iterations, BB10 devices do not require a special service plan.

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PetAT

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Reply # 1111207 19-Aug-2014 12:06

I asked parallel imports if they could get me a Nokia 700, I see it was supposed to be a successor to the 5800 and released at the time of the N9? So if I wanted Symbian interface with widgets and all that I should had gone for the N8 instead of the N9? I really prefer the function then having to make multiple clicks to get the same thing done. AS in case of the N9 I am having to do multiple swipes which most of the times wont close an app, but on my 5800 just click cross or exit and its done. Also I dont see the whole point really of having 3 home screens as opposed to one home screen with some widgets and then a full apps home/menu.

Also have roaming in mind, What does a N9 do over a Xpress Music 5800. Isn't dual band just needed if you are going towards the Americas? I never plan to head that way, So is it good for the rest of the world? I have had a BB but that was old, this BB10 looks unique, I will look into it...

NikT

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Reply # 1111469 19-Aug-2014 17:43

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PetAT: I asked parallel imports if they could get me a Nokia 700, I see it was supposed to be a successor to the 5800 and released at the time of the N9? So if I wanted Symbian interface with widgets and all that I should had gone for the N8 instead of the N9? I really prefer the function then having to make multiple clicks to get the same thing done. AS in case of the N9 I am having to do multiple swipes which most of the times wont close an app, but on my 5800 just click cross or exit and its done. Also I dont see the whole point really of having 3 home screens as opposed to one home screen with some widgets and then a full apps home/menu.

Also have roaming in mind, What does a N9 do over a Xpress Music 5800. Isn't dual band just needed if you are going towards the Americas? I never plan to head that way, So is it good for the rest of the world? I have had a BB but that was old, this BB10 looks unique, I will look into it...

Yep, the N8 will be more akin to what you're used to. Symbian^3 was an interesting thing with some solid ideas, and the N8 has excellent audio quality, build quality, and camera.

For roaming, both the N8 and the N9 will be much better suited to use abroad than the 5800 for the exact same reasons you couldn't get your 5800 to work on Skinny. Unless you only want 2G roaming. :)

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PetAT

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Reply # 1111471 19-Aug-2014 17:45

I think I will get the N8. or If somebody here has one, I got a very nice N9 sitting here. cash either way.

Technofreak

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Reply # 1111672 19-Aug-2014 22:36

We've got an N8 here not doing much since my wife got a 920, though I'm not sure she wants to sell it. She still uses the excellent voice recorder from time to time.

The N8 has an awesome camera and has a micro SD slot for expandable storage. Like the N9 and E7, and I suspect the 700 and 808, the N8 has a penta band radio so will work on any network.

The N8 uses basically the same OS as the 700 but the 700 uses a faster processor so is a bit nicer to use. The N8 has only one button, probably best described as a "Home" button unlike the 700 which has three buttons like the 5800 has.

Symbian Belle which is used on the N8 has three home screens as standard with the option to add more. You swipe across to select between the home screens. Unlike the N9 you can selected what you have on the home screens and can have as many or as few apps displayed on the Home screen as you like.

If you're taking several swipes to close an app on the N9 you're doing something wrong. The closing swipe action (swiping from the top of the screen to the bottom) has always worked first time every time for me. It's by far the simplest method of any phone I've used to close an app.

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coffeebaron

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Reply # 1111682 19-Aug-2014 23:05

PetAT: I think I will get the N8. or If somebody here has one, I got a very nice N9 sitting here. cash either way.

I possibly have an N8 up for grabs too, though you will probably need to invest in a new battery for it.

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NikT

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Reply # 1111791 20-Aug-2014 08:59

I feel for the guy, I really do - being forced to change mobile operating systems from one you know to one you don't is never very much fun.

I was a diehard fan of Windows Mobile, but that bit the dust some years back. Thankfully, the HTC HD2 was the perfect transitional phone, as the shared internals with flagship Android and Windows Phone devices of the time (2009) meant very clever developers were able to get both operating systems working even better than the original WinMo did. I was able to try Android and Windows Phone 7 without needing to buy new hardware.

The HD2 is probably still worth looking into, as the third party community for it remains very active, and you get three different phones in one. It's only dual-band 3G, though.

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PetAT

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Reply # 1112148 20-Aug-2014 15:19

Thanks Guys, I wan to like the N9, I do, it has a rich solid construction and feel to it but it's more fashionable then function, I figured out how to close aps but the other stuff gets in the way, the Meego OS feels crap toy like, even the keyboard is not very featured, can't even figure out how to copy a txt from the display (sent it a to wrong number lol). Basically doing the same stuff from my old phone takes so much less time. I have used my friends apple phones and liked them, the UI was familiar enough. You know for somebody who doesn't use any social networking, uses his phone just to txt, call, maybe take a random photo while hiking somewhere, listen to music, maybe the GPS and Web browser to check emails or websites if absolutely needed. One other thing that I care about is ability to use my phone in EU. So not having to switch handsets for getting it it work if I am planing to Roam around a few countries.

Good News is I cancled the number transfer to Skinny, so now I dont have to keep the N9. To me it feels like too much looks, too little functions/options to customize etc. But I understand its a good phone for a lot of people, I am just more simple minded towards phones and these kind of stuff.

coffeebaron: I possibly have an N8 up for grabs too, though you will probably need to invest in a new battery for it.

I will drop you a message later :)

Technofreak

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Reply # 1112297 20-Aug-2014 18:33

PetAT: Thanks Guys, I wan to like the N9, I do, it has a rich solid construction and feel to it but it's more fashionable then function, I figured out how to close aps but the other stuff gets in the way, the Meego OS feels crap toy like, even the keyboard is not very featured, can't even figure out how to copy a txt from the display (sent it a to wrong number lol). Basically doing the same stuff from my old phone takes so much less time. I have used my friends apple phones and liked them, the UI was familiar enough. You know for somebody who doesn't use any social networking, uses his phone just to txt, call, maybe take a random photo while hiking somewhere, listen to music, maybe the GPS and Web browser to check emails or websites if absolutely needed. One other thing that I care about is ability to use my phone in EU. So not having to switch handsets for getting it it work if I am planing to Roam around a few countries.

Good News is I cancled the number transfer to Skinny, so now I dont have to keep the N9. To me it feels like too much looks, too little functions/options to customize etc. But I understand its a good phone for a lot of people, I am just more simple minded towards phones and these kind of stuff.

coffeebaron: I possibly have an N8 up for grabs too, though you will probably need to invest in a new battery for it.

I will drop you a message later :)

I'm really sorry you found the N9 to be unsuitable. Unfortunately whenever you move to another OS there is a learning phase. It's a pity you didn't have someone to show you around the N9, I think the outcome would have been quite different.

For example copying and pasting the content of a text is easier and quicker than on the 5800, just hold your finger on the text you want copied, a box opens up, choose "copy", open the message you want to paste into, hold your finger in the text box until the paste box shows, tap the paste box, done. I know it's not obvious how it's done if you don't know how, but once you know it's actually quite intuitive (well to me at least).

I hope you have better luck with which ever phone you end up with.

My wife is interested in selling her old N8 but doesn't need an N9. It's in good nick with a good battery.

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PetAT

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Reply # 1113173 21-Aug-2014 21:59

Could any of you tell me about the Samsung Galaxy S2 and newer Galaxy phones in contrast to lets say the N8 and N9? In Interface(UI) and Romablity and Features...Some first hand info would be most appreciated, I have seen some videos where the S2 looked similar to the Symbian/N8 in terms of Interface.

mudguard

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Reply # 1113224 22-Aug-2014 08:02

I went from the N8 to an S3 (then numerous iPhone for work= and still use a an S4 personally. The only thing I miss about the Nokia is the camera. That's it. Big screens, easier to your with SwiftKey etc. I was a die hard now fan but it didn't take long to get used to switching.

NikT

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Reply # 1114963 25-Aug-2014 10:31

PetAT: Could any of you tell me about the Samsung Galaxy S2 and newer Galaxy phones in contrast to lets say the N8 and N9? In Interface(UI) and Romablity and Features...Some first hand info would be most appreciated, I have seen some videos where the S2 looked similar to the Symbian/N8 in terms of Interface.

The gist of user interaction is quite similar between later versions of Symbian and Android. There are widgets, there are icons, there is a lot of user customisation so you can change almost anything you don't like. Don't like the keyboard? Download a different one. Want more camera features, a different browser, or to change your home screen entirely? There are options for all of those, and more.

I would probably not suggest picking up an S II at this point, as despite having quite capable hardware, it is well and truly end of life and will not receive any further updates for security et cetera. Of course, the same is true of the N8 & N9, but they're a bit different as it's the whole ecosystem that's end of life.

If you're looking for a reasonably low-cost, speedy, capable Android handset that will have a bit of future-proofing and is a well-known brand, the soon-to-be-released Motorola Moto G 4G would be a nice go-to. There's also the Vodafone Smart 4 power in that space, and although Windows Phone isn't your bag, the numerous improvements in 8.1 make the low-cost Lumias like the 520, 625, and 635 worth another look.

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NikT

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Reply # 1117849 29-Aug-2014 12:06

Just in an update to this one, I've got my hands on an N8 from the archives, and what a lovely little piece of kit this still is!

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PetAT

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Reply # 1117852 29-Aug-2014 12:11

I ended up selling off the N9 and the sim and kept my vodafone on 5800 xpress music. :D

NikT

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Reply # 1117882 29-Aug-2014 12:22

I think you'd be quite satisfied with the N8 if you see one going reasonably cheap, the move from a resistive screen to a capacitive one alone would be well worth it. It is also outstanding for music and photography. These sorts of feature-focused smartphones are a bit of a lost art.

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