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At its core, the Nokia and Apple story always makes for a great headline. These are two of the biggest companies in the tech industry, and each has unique strengths and weaknesses that make them the preferred brand options for consumers.
While Apple continues dominating the high-end smartphone market, Nokia strives to come back with some of its more affordable and reliable Android options.
This comparison explores the similarities and differences between Nokia and Apple in various categories, including their operating systems, hardware, battery life, camera quality, price, etc.
Nokia vs. Apple: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Apple | Nokia | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | April 1976 | May 1865 |
| Founder(s) | Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne, Steve Wozniak | Fredrik Idestam, Leo Mechelin, Eduard Polón |
| Headquarters | Cupertino, California | Espoo, Finland |
| Products | Smartphones, tablets, personal computers, wearables, and accessories, TV & Home | Smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, tablets, smart TVs, operating systems, feature phones, laptops |
| Revenue | $394.33 billion (2022) | $26.69 billion (2022) |
| Net Worth | $2.452 trillion (2023) | $25.46 billion (2023) |
| Number of Employees | 160,000+ | 86,000+ |
Nokia vs. Apple: What’s the Difference?
This segment provides a comprehensive outline of the differences between Nokia and Apple as brands and the devices each company manufactures.
Cameras
Both Nokia and Apple manufacture smartphones with excellent camera features, particularly the high-end smartphone segments.
Apple consistently improves its device cameras by adding advanced computational photography, optical image stabilization, and improved low-light photography. Its high-end devices, including iPhones, Macs, and iPads, receive regular camera feature updates to give consumers image captures.
Nokia devices (smartphones, tablets, and laptops) also have good camera capabilities, especially in mid-and high-range segments. The brand’s smartphone cameras feature ZEISS optics and other advanced camera software, improving color accuracy and image processing. Some of its unique camera features include the penta-lens camera system found in the Nokia 9 PureView.
Design
Most Nokia devices are known for the durable and sturdy designs that often feature polycarbonate shells. Their devices also have removable batteries and tend to have larger screens and more physical buttons that are easier to use.
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On the other hand, Apple phones, tablets, and laptops are mostly known for their sleek and stylish design. Apple also makes its products using premium materials, like metal and glass, and tends to have smaller screens that some customers find more intuitive and easier to handle. Both brands have unique designs and practicalities that make their products more attractive and desirable to different client bases.
Price
Most Nokia phones and tablets are more affordable than Apple products, with price ranges of about $200. This makes them the more popular option among users on a budget. Most current Apple devices, especially the top-tier models, range upwards of $1,000, making them out of reach for interested buyers.
While it may be difficult to find a cheap iPhone or Mac, Apple allows buyers to purchase refurbished phones that cost significantly less. Additionally, if you wish to buy a new iPhone within the price range of most Nokia devices, you will have to settle for older models.
Operating system
Nokia and Apple devices use different operating systems, with Nokia’s phones and tablets running the Android operating system and Apple’s iPhones and iPads running iOS. Nokia’s Android OS is developed by Google and is known for its flexibility and customizability.
It allows users to download and install programs and applications from multiple sources, like the Google Play Store, third-party websites, and direct downloads.
On the other hand, Apple’s iOS is a closed ecosystem designed with strict parameters to vet all applications that users can access from its app store. Some users find iOS more user-friendly and designed to be more streamlined with their devices. That means you can start a task on your iPhone and continue working on it on your Mac.
Battery life
Nokia prides itself on manufacturing smartphones, tablets, and laptops with longer-lasting batteries on the phone market. Most Nokia devices have larger batteries and more power-saving customizations, resulting in prolonged battery life.
Nokia’s background app restriction features, adaptive brightness, and battery optimization settings are all geared toward guaranteeing a longer battery for its devices.
On the other hand, Apple devices capitalize on software and hardware optimization to provide users with improved battery life and performance. Its slim product designs also limit the brand to a smaller battery size, which might affect the device’s battery life and capacity.
Display
Apple takes the cake when it comes to developing excellent screen displays. Most newer Apple iPhone, iPad, and Mac models have higher screen resolutions and pixel density, giving them much sharper, more vibrant visuals. The brand uses advanced technologies such as OLED display and Super Retina XDR to give its devices deeper blacks and more colors.
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On the other hand, many Nokia devices, including smartphones and tablets, have LCD displays that are less advanced than Apple’s OLED displays. Many newer Nokia models also have High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Gorilla Glass Protection to improve and protect their displays.
Note that some Apple devices, especially older models, also have LCD screens. A good example is the iPhone 8, which is just as brilliant and vibrant as most smart devices on the market.
Performance
Generally, Apple phones and laptops offer better performance than Nokia devices because Apple designs its software and hardware technologies for specific device models. Many Apple devices also come with more RAM and better processing power than Nokia’s to provide users with a more optimized and streamlined user experience.
It is worth mentioning that many Nokia phones, tablets, and laptops are more affordable than Apple devices, but still manufacture good-performing device options for their price point.
Security
Apple is renowned for designing some of the market’s most secure devices and systems. This is mainly because Apple operates in a closed ecosystem that rigorously vets all third-party applications before making them available through the App Store.
Apple also has several security features that make its devices more secure, including encrypting its phones and tablets by default. The brand regularly releases security updates to block any vulnerabilities that may interfere with its systems.
On the other hand, Nokia phones and tablets run on Android, an open-source operating system that’s more vulnerable to security threats. And while Nokia devices may also receive regular security updates, they are still exposed to some potential vulnerabilities resulting from the open nature of the phones’ operating system.
Overall, both brands take security very seriously and are always working to protect their users’ privacy and data. Ultimately, your device’s security depends on its daily use and the precautions you take to protect it.
Nokia vs. Apple: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Nokia devices run on Android OS (an open-source operating system), while Apple devices run on iOS (a closed ecosystem).
- Nokia devices are known for their long battery life, especially in comparison to Apple devices.
- Apple phones have higher-quality cameras, while Nokia phones have decent cameras for their price point.
- Apple devices are more secure than Nokia’s because of their closed ecosystem and other built-in security features.
- Nokia’s Android OS offers more customization and flexibility than Apple’s iOS operating system. However, the latest iOS 16 provides users with more customization options than previous iOS versions.
Nokia vs. Apple: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Nokia is best known for manufacturing durable, affordable, and reliable devices, and they are often praised for their sturdy construction and long battery life; they are built to last. However, many users consider Nokia devices less innovative and feature-packed than its competitor, Apple.
Apple devices, on the other hand, are best known for their premium quality design and technically innovative features. Apple phones are also considered the better option, with high-end cameras, a user-friendly interface, and powerful processors. Apple devices tend to be much pricier than their competitors. Ultimately, the best brand for you depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget.
