Motorola StarTAC 85 vs Nokia 9290 Communicator

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Side by side comparison between Motorola StarTAC 85 vs Nokia 9290 Communicator phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

9/24/2013 8:41 PM, updated: 9/10/2022 4:57 AM

Compare Nokia 9290 Communicator X Motorola StarTAC 85 02Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

1.5"
MONO

4x15

N/A

1MB
RAM

Single-core

500
mAh

(Removable)

15Points Nokia 9290 Communicator Compare Motorola StarTAC 85 X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

4.5"
TFT

640x200

N/A

8MB
RAM

Single-core

1300
mAh

(Removable)

What's the better phone? Nokia 9290 Communicator

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

2 Advantages Motorola StarTAC 85	vs	15 Advantages Nokia 9290 Communicator
+112 grams (3.92 ounces)118% Lighter	vs	244 grams (8.54 ounces)
+23 millimeters (0.91 inches)17% Thinner	vs	27 millimeters (1.06 inches)
1MB SDRAM	vs	+8MB SDRAM7 times More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
1KB	vs	+16MB (2MB available)2047 times More internal storage for applications and files
Not supported	vs	+Until 128MB MMCAdvantage More external storage for files using memory cards
Monochromatic	vs	+TFT LCDAdvantage TFT LCD display is brighter and more vivid
2	vs	+4 thousand1999 times More colors on the screen is better quality images and videos
4x15 pixels	vs	+640x200 pixels2132 times Higher resolution screen
10 PPI	vs	+149 PPI14 times Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
1.5"	vs	+4.5"2 times Larger screen
10 apps	vs	+50000 apps (Nokia Ovi Store)4999 times More apps available to download and use
2G GSM	vs	+2G HSCSDAdvantage The 2G HSCSD network is newer and faster
(2G GSM)	vs	+(2G HSCSD) 0.043 MbpsAdvantage Faster for surfing the internet and download files
500 mAh	vs	+1300 mAh160% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
Not supported	vs	+Hands-free callingAdvantage Hands-free calling is useful when you are driving and on other occasions
Not supported	vs	+proprietary audio outputAdvantage Best output for headset
Not supported	vs	+WAP, HTMLAdvantage Better sites viewing on the internet

3 Common items in both devices

Plastic body

NiMH (Removable) / Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable)

Vibrating alert

+ specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Change model
Model	StarTAC 85	9290 Communicator
Other model names	Motorola Star TAC 85 (S5776EBD)	Nokia 9290, Nokia 9210 Communicator for America
Country or region available	(Global, International)	(Latin America), Canada, USA
Brand	Motorola	Nokia
Release date	1/1/1997	6/1/2001
Depth	23 millimeters (0.91 inches)	27 millimeters (1.06 inches)
Size (width x height)	57 x 98 millimeters (2.24 x 3.86 in)	56 x 158 millimeters (2.2 x 6.22 in)
Weight	112 grams (3.92 ounces)	244 grams (8.54 ounces)
Build, materials	Plastic body	Plastic body
Protection against water and others	Not supported	Not supported
📲 Display
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Display type	Monochromatic	TFT LCD
Screen size	1.5" inches	4.5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~6.5% (screen-to-body ratio)	~42% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	4x15 pixels	640x200 pixels
Touchscreen	Not supported	Not supported
Pixel density (dot pitch)	10 PPI	149 PPI
Colors	2	4 thousand
Scratch-resistant glass	Not supported	Not supported
Refresh rate	feature not registered	feature not registered
Display features	Not supported	feature not registered
🤖 Operating System
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
System version	Proprietary OS	Symbian 6.0 S80 1st Edition Crystal
Firmware update	feature not registered	feature not registered
User Interface	feature not registered	feature not registered
⚙️ Processor
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Chipset	16bit	32bit: ARM 920T RISC 32-bit
CPU	Single-core, 1 processor: Single-core	Single-core, 1 processor: 1x 52MHz ARM9TDMI (Single-core)
GPU graphical controller	feature not registered	feature not registered
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
RAM memory	1MB SDRAM	8MB SDRAM
Internal storage	1KB Flash (EEPROM)	16MB (2MB available)
External storage	Not supported	Until 128MB MMC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) Standard mini-SIM (2FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) Standard mini-SIM (2FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	feature not registered	0.043 Mbps
Network technology	2G	2G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Mono-Band 900	Dual-Band 900/1800
Primary 2G network	GSM 900	GSM 900/1800
Primary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	Not supported	CSD, HSCSD
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
📷 Camera
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Back camera (main camera)	Not supported	Not supported
Main camera resolution	Not supported	Not supported
Video recording (primary)	Not supported	Not supported
Flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Autofocus	Not supported	Not supported
Touch focus	Not supported	Not supported
Image stabilization	Not supported	feature not registered
Zoom	Not supported	Not supported
Face/smile detection	Not supported	Not supported
BSI sensor	Not supported	Not supported
HDR	Not supported	Not supported
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Front camera (secondary)	Not supported	Not supported
Front camera resolution	Not supported	Not supported
Video recording (secondary)	Not supported	Not supported
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Loudspeaker	feature not registered	Supported
Active noise cancellation	Not supported	Not supported
Radio	Not supported	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	feature not registered	feature not registered
Audio formats	feature not registered	WAV
🔌 Connectivity
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
USB	Not supported	Not supported
Audio output	Not supported	proprietary audio output
TV output	Not supported	Not supported
Bluetooth	Not supported	Not supported
WiFi	Not supported	Not supported
DLNA	Not supported	Not supported
GPS	Not supported	Not supported
NFC	Not supported	Not supported
Infrared port	Not supported	feature not registered
🧭 Sensors
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Sensors	Not supported	Not supported
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Battery type	NiMH (Removable)	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable) BLL-3
Battery capacity	500 mAh	1300 mAh
Charger, watts	4.8W Wired charging	Wired charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	feature not registered
Talk time autonomy	3.8 hours	8 hours
Standby	75 hours (3.1 days)	230 hours (9.6 days)
➕ Other features
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
Call control	Not supported	Not supported
Messaging	SMS	SMS, E-mail
Hands-free calling	Not supported	Supported
Video calling	Not supported	Not supported
Ringtones	Monophonic	Monophonic
Web browser	Not supported	WAP, HTML
Antenna	External retractable antenna	External retractable antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Retractable QWERTY keyboard
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Black • 16 Languages • Phonebook with 100 entries • Call records 10 dialed, 5 received, 5 missed calls	• Colors: Gray • MMC 16MB card included • Serial connection with cable owner • Infrared port • Video player • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF viewer • Monochromatic second display 80x48 pixels Java framework
☢️ Radiation rate
	Motorola StarTAC 85	Nokia 9290 Communicator
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered