The Nokia 5800, also known as the Nokia XpressMusic, was a touchscreen smartphone that marked a significant departure from Nokia's traditional keypad-based designs. Released in 2008, this device was aimed at the mid-range market, focusing on multimedia capabilities, particularly music. The 5800 was part of Nokia's effort to compete with the emerging touchscreen smartphones, most notably the iPhone, which had revolutionized the mobile phone industry a year earlier.
One of the standout features of the Nokia 5800 was its 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen display. Although resistive touchscreens were less responsive and less intuitive than the capacitive screens found on devices like the iPhone, the 5800's screen was sufficiently sensitive for its time, allowing for basic touch functionality. The device came with a stylus, which was often necessary for precise actions due to the screen's resistive nature. The display resolution was 360x640 pixels, which, while not exceptional by today's standards, was competitive for a mid-range device in 2008.
Key Points
- The Nokia 5800 featured a 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen, a significant departure from traditional Nokia designs.
- It was equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera, Carl Zeiss optics, and a dual-LED flash.
- The device supported Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and had a built-in GPS.
- The Nokia 5800 ran on Symbian OS 9.4, which, although feature-rich, was criticized for its complexity and lack of user-friendliness compared to newer operating systems.
- The battery life was commendable, with up to 35 hours of music playback and 5 hours of talk time.
Design and Build Quality
The Nokia 5800 had a sturdy build, typical of Nokia devices at the time. It came in several colors, allowing users to personalize their device. The body was primarily made of plastic, but it felt solid in the hand. One of the design highlights was the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it easy to listen to music without the need for an adapter. The device also featured dedicated music keys on the side, enhancing its music-centric approach.
Camera and Multimedia
The camera on the Nokia 5800 was a 3.2-megapixel unit, equipped with Carl Zeiss optics and a dual-LED flash. For its time, the camera was quite capable, offering decent image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. The device also supported video recording, though the quality was not as impressive as still images. In terms of multimedia, the 5800 excelled, thanks to its XpressMusic branding. It came with Nokia’s music store, allowing for easy music downloads, and supported a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, AAC, and WMA.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Symbian OS 9.4 |
| Display | 3.2 inches, 360x640 pixels |
| Camera | 3.2 megapixels, Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash |
| Memory | 81 MB internal, expandable via microSD |
| Battery Life | Up to 35 hours music playback, 5 hours talk time |
Software and Performance
The Nokia 5800 ran on Symbian OS 9.4, which, although feature-rich, was beginning to show its age by 2008. Symbian offered a wide range of functionalities, including multitasking, a comprehensive contacts book, and support for office documents. However, the operating system was criticized for its complexity and lack of user-friendliness compared to newer operating systems like iOS and Android, which were emerging at the time. The performance of the device was generally smooth, thanks to its 369 MHz ARM11 processor and 128 MB of RAM, though it could become sluggish with too many applications open simultaneously.
Connectivity and Battery
In terms of connectivity, the Nokia 5800 supported Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and had a built-in GPS, making it well-equipped for navigation and internet browsing on the go. The battery life was commendable, with up to 35 hours of music playback and 5 hours of talk time, making it suitable for daily use without the need for frequent recharging.
What operating system did the Nokia 5800 use?
+The Nokia 5800 ran on Symbian OS 9.4.
Was the Nokia 5800's touchscreen capacitive or resistive?
+The Nokia 5800 featured a resistive touchscreen.
What was the camera resolution of the Nokia 5800?
+The Nokia 5800 had a 3.2-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and a dual-LED flash.
In conclusion, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic was an important device for Nokia, marking its foray into the touchscreen smartphone market. While it had its limitations, particularly with its resistive touchscreen and Symbian operating system, it offered a compelling package for music lovers and those seeking a mid-range smartphone with robust multimedia capabilities. As the smartphone market has evolved significantly since its release, devices like the Nokia 5800 serve as a reminder of the rapid pace of technological advancement in the mobile sector.
