Nokia N93 vs N90

Who wins: Nokia N93 or N90?

Choose the Nokia N93 first, as it delivers substantial generation-over-generation upgrades including a 3.2 MP camera with 3x optical zoom, 30 fps VGA video recording, a 332 MHz Dual ARM 11 processor with dedicated 3D acceleration, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, and TV-out capabilities.

Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, Nokia N93 scores 8.5/10 overall while N90 scores 6.1/10 overall.

Should I choose Nokia N93 or N90?

Verdict: Choose the Nokia N93 first, as it delivers substantial generation-over-generation upgrades including a 3.2 MP camera with 3x optical zoom, 30 fps VGA video recording, a 332 MHz Dual ARM 11 processor with dedicated 3D acceleration, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, and TV-out capabilities.

The Nokia N93 is the superior overall camcorder hybrid phone, outpacing the Nokia N90 with its 3x optical zoom, 30 fps VGA video recording, Wi-Fi connectivity, and faster 3D hardware.

The Nokia N93 decisively outperforms the Nokia N90 across nearly every multimedia and computing metric, boasting a 3.2 MP sensor with 3x optical zoom and smooth VGA recording at 30 fps, compared to the N90's 2.1 MP sensor, digital zoom, and 15 fps CIF video. Computing is notably faster on the N93 thanks to its 332 MHz Dual ARM 11 CPU and PowerVR MBX 3D accelerator on Symbian S60 3rd Edition, eclipsing the N90's 220 MHz TI OMAP 1710 chip on S60 2nd Edition. The N93 also adds essential networking and output features, including Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and direct analog TV-out. The Nokia N90 only holds an advantage in display sharpness, offering a 2.1-inch 352x416 panel (~259 ppi) over the N93's larger 2.4-inch 240x320 panel (~167 ppi), alongside its independently rotating lens barrel.

Best for Nokia N93

• Capturing photos with higher resolution via its 3.2 MP Carl Zeiss camera
• Optical zooming using a dedicated 3x optical zoom mechanism
• Recording smooth video with VGA resolution at 30 fps
• Demanding 3D rendering and fast processing with its 332 MHz Dual ARM 11 CPU and PowerVR MBX graphics
• Connecting to wireless local networks via Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and UPnP
• Streaming media directly to external screens with analog TV-out
• Using a larger 2.4-inch display panel for media playback and viewfinder use
• Modern Symbian OS 9.1 (S60 3rd Edition) app support and multitasking

Best for N90

• Viewing ultra-sharp visuals on a high-density 352x416 resolution display at ~259 ppi
• Adjusting shooting angles independently with a 2-axis rotating camera lens module
• Operating legacy Symbian OS 8.1a (S60 2nd Edition FP3) applications

When not to compare directly

Do not compare the Nokia N93 and Nokia N90 directly if screen pixel sharpness and independently swiveling camera lens mechanics take absolute precedence over overall processing performance, optical zoom capabilities, and modern wireless connectivity.

What are the key differences between Nokia N93 and N90?

• Camera & Video Capabilities

  While the Nokia N90 features a 2.1 MP sensor with CIF video and digital zoom, the Nokia N93 significantly improves imaging with a 3.2 MP sensor, 3x optical zoom, and VGA recording at 30 fps.

  Nokia N93: The Nokia N93 features a 3.2 MP Carl Zeiss camera equipped with 3x optical zoom and high-grade VGA video recording at 30 fps.

  N90: The Nokia N90 features an earlier 2.1 MP Carl Zeiss camera with digital zoom and video recording limited to CIF resolution at 15 fps.

  Scores — Nokia N93: 8.8/10, N90: 6/10

  Both devices were marketed primarily as cutting-edge imaging and camcorder hybrid devices.

  Sources: Nokia N93, Nokia N90

• Form Factor & Swivel Mechanism

  While the Nokia N90 relies on a 2-axis mechanism with an independently rotating camera lens barrel, the Nokia N93 replaces the rotating lens with a fixed barrel housing a 3x optical zoom mechanism and shifts swivel articulation entirely to its dual-hinge display.

  Nokia N93: The Nokia N93 uses a dual-hinge swivel design weighing 180g, mounting a fixed 3.2-megapixel camera barrel on its base while letting the display open clamshell-style and rotate sideways into dedicated imaging and notebook view modes.

  N90: The Nokia N90 features a 2-axis multi-part transformer body with an independently rotating 2.0-megapixel Carl Zeiss camera lens module alongside a 90-degree swiveling display to achieve distinct capture and viewing configurations.

  Scores — Nokia N93: 8.5/10, N90: 7/10

  The distinct multi-axis swivel designs defined how users handled each phone for standard calls versus dedicated camcorder use.

  Sources: Nokia N93 - Full phone specifications, Nokia N90

• Processing Hardware & OS Generation

  The Nokia N93 provides a substantial performance leap over the Nokia N90 with its 332 MHz Dual ARM 11 CPU and dedicated PowerVR 3D graphics accelerator compared to the N90's 220 MHz TI OMAP 1710 processor.

  Nokia N93: The Nokia N93 features a significantly upgraded Dual ARM 11 processor running at 332 MHz with a dedicated PowerVR MBX 3D graphics accelerator on Symbian OS 9.1 (S60 3rd Edition), providing superior 3D rendering and application performance.

  N90: The Nokia N90 is powered by an older TI OMAP 1710 processor clocked at 220 MHz running Symbian OS 8.1a (S60 2nd Edition, Feature Pack 3) without dedicated 3D graphics hardware.

  Scores — Nokia N93: 9.2/10, N90: 4.5/10

  Hardware processing power and OS architecture govern app compatibility, 3D graphics rendering, and general responsiveness.

  Sources: Nokia N93, Nokia N90

• Connectivity & Multimedia Output

  The Nokia N93 significantly expands wireless and wired export capabilities over the Nokia N90 by adding Wi-Fi 802.11b/g networking and a direct analog TV-out connection alongside its USB 2.0 and Bluetooth 2.0 interfaces.

  Nokia N93: The Nokia N93 provides comprehensive multimedia export and connectivity options by incorporating Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, UPnP, Bluetooth 2.0, and a direct analog TV-out port capable of outputting video and photo slideshows straight to external displays via RCA cables [1, 7].

  N90: The Nokia N90 is restricted to slower and wired or local wireless options, relying on Bluetooth 1.2, Pop-Port USB 2.0, and 3G cellular data, while completely lacking Wi-Fi connectivity and direct TV-out multimedia display capabilities [7, 12].

  Scores — Nokia N93: 9.2/10, N90: 4.5/10

  Sharing and exporting high-resolution photos and video required robust wireless and wired transfer interfaces.

  Sources: Nokia N93, Nokia N93 - Full phone specifications

• Display Size & Resolution

  The Nokia N90 provides a significantly higher pixel density of approximately 259 ppi across its 352x416 screen, whereas the Nokia N93 opts for a larger 2.4-inch display with a lower resolution of 240x320 pixels at approximately 167 ppi.

  Nokia N93: The Nokia N93 features a larger 2.4-inch standard QVGA TFT display with a resolution of 240x320 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 167 ppi [7].

  N90: The Nokia N90 features a sharper 2.1-inch high-density TFT display delivering a 352x416 resolution at approximately 259 ppi [12].

  Scores — Nokia N93: 6.8/10, N90: 8.4/10

  Screen clarity and viewfinder size directly affected framing video shots and media playback.

  Sources: Nokia N93 - Full phone specifications, Nokia N90

What are the pros and cons of Nokia N93 vs N90?

Where does this data come from?

1. Nokia N93
2. Nokia N90 Product Guide: Specs, Legacy & Collector Value
3. Nokia N93 - Wikipedia
4. Introduction N90
5. Nokia's N73 and N93 launched
6. Camera Review Blogs No. 41 – Nikon F90/N90
7. Nokia N93 - Full phone specifications
8. Nokia N90: Specs and Features Overview | PDF | Pixel
9. Review: Nokia N93 (part two - the smartphone, the summary)
10. Nokia N90
11. Fascinating Look Back at the Nokia N93 Smartphone from ...
12. Nokia N90
13. Nokia N93
14. Nokia N90 - Phone Reviews by Mobile Tech Review
15. Nokia N93
16. Classic Camera Review: Nikon N90s
17. Nokia N93
18. Review of the Nikon N90s F90x film camera
19. Nokia N93 promotion website
20. Nikon N90s 35mm Film SLR Camera Review

Create your own comparison