Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte

Launch price £850 SIM-free

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Stuff says

The Sapphire is undoubtedly overpriced, but it’s hard not to admire the stunning craftsmanship and its newfound taste for features

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Nokia’s pricey 8800 Series handsets have always put style and status way before substance. They certainly ooze class and elegance, but have struggled to provide more than a bimbo feature set. Well, this is all to about the change with new Arte and Sapphire Arte models.

Feature boost
Admittedly, the new feature line-up doesn’t reach mind-blowing N96 levels, but there’s now an air of respectability to finally match the phone’s awesome build-quality. 3G download speeds finally get a look in, the camera now hits the 3.2megapixel mark with autofocus and the only real disappointment is the lack of expandable memory.

Thankfully, both handsets retain the 8800 series’ signature stainless steel armour. The only difference between the two is that the more expensive and coffee-toned Sapphire flaunts some incredible front and rear leather panelling and a gemstone joypad. It’s hard not to just sit and stare at the outstanding build quality.

Armour plating
Owners will understandably want to keep their costly Arte pristine so Nokia has glazed the handsets in an anti-fingerprint lacquer to thwart those pinkie smears. It’s not completely smudge proof but does reduce the stains admirably. A scratch-resistant glass pane has also been fitted to safeguard the sharp and vivid QVGA, OLED display.

After the 8800 Sirocco’s vapid two-megapixel camera, the new snapper with autofocus is a godsend. Admittedly, photographic mods like a flash and macro focus are mysteriously missing and when compared to our 3.2megapixel reference camera, the Sony Ericsson K810i Cyber-shot, picture quality does lack sharpness. But it does trot out decent pictures despite the handicaps.