Nokia just announced a new Symbian device called the 808 PureView. The specification that immediately stands out is the camera, which comes in at 41 megapixels. How exactly is that possible and is that number real or the result of a marketing department gone batshit insane? Luckily for us Nokia has a dedicated website for the 808 PureView, and they even have a 10 page white paper [PDF document] explaining the technology. Basically the PureView 808 is a 5 megapixel camera that uses insanely complicated algorithms to churn out we assume are going to be some ridiculously amazing photos. Forgetting about the maths for a second, the sensor in the 808 PureView is absolutely massive. Nokia says it’s 2.5x larger than the sensor in the Nokia N8, which has held the title of “best camera phone on the market” since it started shipping back in October 2010. In order to fit that sensor inside the PureView, the device obviously has to be a bit beefier. We’re talking 13.9 mm at the thinnest point and a whopping 17.95 mm at the thickest point. It’s a small price to pay for all you camera snobs. Oh and of course there’s a real Xenon flash in this thing. Better yet, there’s also an LED light for use while recording video!
Other specs are typical of Nokia’s previous smartphones: 4 inch 640 x 360 AMOLED screen, 1400 mAh battery, quadband GSM, pentaband 3G, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, FM transmitter, you get the deal. The only real new thing is the ability to capture 1080p video, a first for Symbian devices.
The big question isn’t whether or not the PureView will be able to deliver. Nokia has a stunning track record in the imagine department. The question is will people want to blow 450 Euros this coming May on a smartphone that’s running Symbian?
We’re going to say no and recommend you wait for a Nokia Lumia with this camera.
[Image Credit: The Verge]