Design
Nokia describes the composition of the latest 8800 as a "unique synthesis of high quality glass and metal", however, unique seems a misnomer considering how similar the Arte looks to its predecessor the Sirocco. That said, there's definitely something alluring about the simple elegance of the Arte.
The 8800 feels great to hold and to use. It's noticeably heavier than other handsets, and while we'd often mark the extra heft as a bad point, the Arte has a pleasing weight; it feels solid and durable. The sliding mechanism is amongst the best we've used, and again gives the impression of a high quality build and of a level of craftsmanship absent from cheaper mass-produced models.
The keypad is comprised of small angled keys which we found easy to differentiate when typing quickly, despite being smaller than we'd typically like to see. The glass OLED display is bright and clear, and displays 16 million colours, like most Nokia handsets.
The Arte is also bundled with similarly attractive accessories. Alongside the standard CD-ROM and user manual we discovered a sexy suede carry case and a sleek-looking USB charging stand.
Features
This is where it gets a tad confusing. While there is no denying the quality and style of the 8800 Arte, its feature list resembles a mid-range handset. The Arte runs on Nokia's S40 operating platform, which is solid but unextraordinary, and lacks the flexibility of the S60 platform.
It's a 3G phone without HSDPA, and while the review unit we tested came with a version of the Opera Mini Web browser, it's far from being one of the most Web-friendly phones we've seen. Unlike the slew of new Nokias expected mid-year there's no Wi-Fi or GPS receiver onboard the Arte either. There is, however, a 3.2-megapixel camera which is about the standard of a low to mid-range Nokia handset. Auto focus and 8x digital zoom are handy, but the lack of a flash is limiting.
One feature that does stand out is the "exclusive" video ringtones composed by DJs Kruder and Dorfmeister. We're not entirely sure who these electronic virtuosos are, but the tones sure beat the usually horrific selections of Beethoven's Fifth or La Cucaracha.
Performance
As a mobile phone, the 8800 Arte is an excellent performer. Call reception was never a concern during our tests, and the quality of the internal speaker was superb. The menu is fluid and responsive, giving you immediate access to most menus and applications.
The 8800 employs a 1000 mAh battery which is larger than Nokia typically uses in phones of this size, and the results are obvious. With moderate use of calls and messaging we saw up to five days between charges, which is outstanding.
Overall
Would we recommend you buy the Arte? The answer to this question is more about personality than functionality. If you'd gladly pay the extra for a Ferrari rather than buy a Toyota, then you may be in the market for the Arte.
There's simply no denying there's art in this 8800. As fashion phones go the Arte far surpasses the garish Dolce and Gabanna handset from Motorola, or the popular LG Prada phone. Definitely not a phone for specification hungry tech-heads, but a beautiful handset nonetheless.
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Arte
31/07/2008, 06:58 AM
rating
9/10
This is a real phone.
A phone isn't to listen to music from, thats why we have ipods. A phone isn't to take photos from, thats why we have digital cameras. Of course, this phone has the 3.15 mega pixel camera, in case you spot something very interesting, and don't have your camera handy - granted, but since when have you used a phone to take pictures on a holiday?
It's not a phone for tech-heads. It's a phone for people that want to make phone calls and receive them.
Sure, it doesn't have a 3.5mm audio socket, its camera doesn't live up to its name and the phones overall features are lacking.
Yet this phone really turns heads when I take it out of my pocket. Instead of having a gray piece of plastic in the palm of hand, I hold style, a phone made of quality materials, a phone which won't break after the first couple of weeks.
This phone reminds of us of what we use a phone for instead of all the high-tech features that people crave today.
As to agree with a previous reviewer - take Vertu (who incidentally are also made by Nokia, a sort of premium brand), they phones they produce can cost up to $100,000. They don't have cameras or MP3 players built into them. There is no Micro-SD or SD card slot, and there is barely enough memory to fit even 5 songs onto it. Yet the phone itself is elegant in all its ways.
Those who have negatively reviewed this phone must have never owned one, as for most, the cost of this handset is off-putting. But for those who have owned or do own one, it will have been one of the best decisions of their life.
If you want an up-to-date, technology filled phone, look for an N-Series or a Samsung. Don't even bother looking here.
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nokia 8800
12/06/2008, 09:33 PM
rating
7/10
Nokia 8800 Arte is best of the best mobile phone. I like this cell phone because of its fast and efficient features. It brings great quality of sound with its good stereo speakers. I like it.
Pros: Gorgeous color.
Very light.
Large screen.
Detailed menu options.
Cons: Camera stills only average in quality.
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arte
15/05/2008, 03:20 PM
rating
7/10
Love this phone, but I am not the technical type, all I care is the looks. All I need is to make and answer calls. Have to say, Battery lasts 2 days max without using any power consuming features such as bluetooth and e-mail.
Pros: Great looking phone - classy and elegant
Cons: Battery life is VERY short
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Laddan
11/05/2008, 02:50 PM
rating
10/10
The End Of Art ,,,
Pros: NO.1
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Kourosh
06/05/2008, 05:09 PM
rating
10/10
Ultera Nice ,,,
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sazzle88
26/04/2008, 01:35 AM
rating
5/10
the battery on the 8800 doesnt even last me a day and i hardly use it...the camera is a little rubbish for a 2megapixel!
Pros: great style and quality
Cons: expensive (1000euros)
rubbish battery
no flash for camera
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NO WAY
16/04/2008, 09:38 PM
rating
2/10
I nearly laughed my head off when i saw the price of this phone in a shop the other day. $1800 for a phone that lacks features such as wifi and a 3.5mm jack. Thats just terrible... no touch screen, tiny keys, unoriginal styling. You'd have to be sad to want this phone...
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aiyesha
23/03/2008, 08:49 PM
rating
6/10
Its a Female Phone. cute and handy. and all females want is to be able to use a phone. Nokia 8800 does just that.
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PPP
14/03/2008, 01:36 AM
rating
9/10
This is what a REAL phone should be like!, nothing but just to make calls, if your really after features then go n get urself the N series, 8000 series are phones for those who doesnt even have time to stop and take a photo (eg businessman). For example a Vertu (www.vertu.com) can cost up to $30,000 and it doesnt even have a camera...thats what i call a real phone
Pros: weigh shows quality and material of the phone
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Plazma69
29/01/2008, 05:29 PM
rating
2/10
This phone looks and feels great,but is an absolute joke,Nokia certainly know how to rip people off with Asthetically good looking phones with crap features.
The buttons are set in from the slider and can be tricky to operate...0/10
Pros: Looks and Feel
Cons: Features are cheap and no camera flash.
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