Nokia N97 hands-on and impressions

We're not quite sure what levers they pulled, but our compadres over at Engadget Spanish have managed to wrangle a retail N97 out of Nokia's tightly-clasped hands, and naturally, they've done us the honors of photographing it. We're hoping to snag a unit of our own soon, but 'til then, tap the read link for lots more shots and even a video. Yes, a video. Welcome to the internet.

[zenstylejunglist @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:45PM]

Meh...

[zenstylejunglist @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:46PM]

Let me elaborate: Android & the perty handsets it runs on.

[Eddy Munn @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:02PM]

I think it's a beautiful phone, much more than just a 'Meh' is necessary!

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:07PM]

Fuck Android. It has nothing on Symbian and by the time it does - in a few years - this phone will be obsolete.

[Muhammed @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:08PM]

what!! pretty android handsets!! are you kidding me!!
This phone can easily be the BEST looking phone on the market when it comes out, can't wait to dump my 5800 for this baby...

[zenstylejunglist @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:16PM]

OMG, I didn't realize there were Nokia/Symbian fanboys. Btw is Symbian open source yet? I heard that's what they were doing.

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:21PM]

It's not fanboyism, it's simple fact. Until Android becomes more established it's not going to threaten Symbian.

SF is open source though so I expect they'll evolve too.

[Muhammed @ Jun 3rd 2009 6:13PM]

Either Nokia Symbian or SF, both are better than android, no fanboyism here.

[petrosdias @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:12PM]

I'm sorry, I have to disagree. Though I understand why you all think that Symbian is great, it's not. I'm on my 3rd Symbian smartphone (currently on E71) and I really really like it. It's snappy, it does the job, it's a stable OS, the works. But that's it. The OS is in general crippled by bad design, applications are extremely scarce (yes yes, there are thousands and thousands of SymbianOS apps, all stuck in the middle ages). I have to struggle to find the app I want to use, and 70% of the time, not from a centralized location (even though that's changing now).

For me, SymbianOS is stuck in the mobile OS middle-ages and is in serious need of a remake. Especially for the interface and the customizations it can receive. I'm all for Nokia build quality and Symbian stability, but I want a next-get web-connected phone -and unless something dramatically changes- it's NOT going to be a Nokia/Symbian.

[iphonerulez @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:19PM]

Aburrida! Y no es un iPhone.

[Lundmark @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:22PM]

I agree, fuck Android. It has nothing on Symbian and by the time it does - in a few years - this phone will be obsolete. However, then there is the iPhone which isn't as immature as Android, nor as old and chunky as Symbian. This phone has nothing on the iPhone, but maybe the hardware keyboard if you're into those things.

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 4th 2009 2:56AM]

Symbian could do with a refresh, Android isn't at the races yet.

As for the iPhone, yeah, it's OK but I'll need to see what v3.0 offers because at the moment it just doesn't cut it for me.

[boss-hogg @ Jun 4th 2009 9:32AM]

its doesn't have the hype of Iphone or Pre so people don't get excited. I think its a really good device and I am looking forward to my widgets on the home screen.

[Yipii123 @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:47PM]

The German site xonio.com also got a retail device. There are a few pics - the full review is coming up later - I will update you ;-)

short description:
http://www.xonio.com/news/Erste-Bilder-Nokia-N97-in-der-Redaktion_36738407.html
Pics:
http://www.xonio.com/bildergalerie/Nokia-N97-in-der-Redaktion-Erste-Bilder-Galerie_36738462.html

[JB @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:48PM]

OMFG..... this is what I have been waiting for.

It comes down to this or the new iPhone. With my loss of love for Apple lately I am praying this thing kicks some form of ass - to justify the spend.

[Saad Rabia @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:58PM]

This thing looks AWESOME!

[mirakutea @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:23PM]

Looks O.K.

[sacapuntas @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:43PM]

O.K. meaning- 'Officially Kick-butt', right?

[Richard @ Jun 8th 2009 3:16AM]

My dad wants a new phone and offered to take my Touch Pro and pay me for it. Thinking about getting the N97, but I might cave and pick up the iPhone if Apple announces some good changes tomorrow (Kotaku mentioned better ram, 3d processor, and attachment points for external keyboards).

IF and I mean IF Apple doesn't dissapoint with just a software update... I might have to give in :/

[John Doe @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:59PM]

Looks like its made of cheap plastic?

[Enigma @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:09PM]

Well...in fairness, the iPhone isn't exactly made out of billet titanium itself...

[meggman @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:29PM]

ah... as opposed to expensive plastic? pretty much the case will most phones these days. even the mighty iphone went plastic

[Daniel @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:01PM]

Why does the article link to the spanish engadget?

[Icchansan @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:39PM]

cuz they got it 1st in spain ;P

[ran @ Jun 4th 2009 1:40AM]

Did you even read the post? It specifically says Engadget Spanish got it first.

[Amrosorma @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:02PM]

OMAP3 or bust, Nokia.

This ARM11 nonsense is not going to bode well for your "flagship" device, especially considering the specs of your upcoming Maemo tablet.

[Ernesttechuser @ Jun 3rd 2009 6:16PM]

I find it funny that people burn the N97 for using an 'out of date' ARM11 core, which it is a bit. Then the same exact people turn into raving NVIDIA Tegra fanboys / girls, which is also an ARM11 design :D

[Amrosorma @ Jun 3rd 2009 6:22PM]

The Tegra platform uses a really awesome GPU, while this...definitely does not. That's the huge difference right there.

But yeah, Nvidia would benefit from using an ARMv8 proccy instead of an ARM11 core as well.

[Aaron @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:02PM]

Good to see a nice set of accessories. The adapter that allows you to charge the phone via older Nokia chargers is kinda cool.

[go seki @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:26PM]

A few people have noted there's no TV-out cable included .. if you've got one from another N series you're ok .. but to have to go out and get one would be a pain .. they expecting everyone to just watch clips on the device screen?

So yeah .. not bad as far as accessories go .. but missing one that should be there.

[Lundmark @ Jun 4th 2009 5:44AM]

Nice to see them all packed in plastic bags. Looks very exclusive.

[Imran @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:11PM]

Sounds smooth in his hand, looks like a quality build. If only I could understand what he was saying :(

[DYMongoose @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:12PM]

Translated, for those who wish to read in English: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http://es.engadget.com/2009/06/03/video-desempaquetando-el-nokia-n97-y-primeras-impresiones/&sl=es&tl=en&history_state0=

[papari @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:14PM]

Definitely my next phone.

[kohrtoons @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:14PM]

The screen looks really cheap. OS response time is really poor. its a brick on top of all that. I second that Meh… comment. Compared to iPhone, Palm, HTC or any other phone Nokia looks sooo dated.

[Homeboy @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:48PM]

No kidding. Having seen videos on the horrendously boring OS and unresponsive screen, I wouldn't even want to spend €250 on it. The device would have been a banger in 2007 but today it pale in comparison to the iPhone, Pre, HTC and even ZuneHD. Until SE and Nokia have reinvented themselves by developing a contemporary OS, they won't see me purchasing any of their their top phones.

[Gad Get @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:53PM]

@ homeboy

The ZuneHD isn't even a phone.

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 4th 2009 2:57AM]

@Homeboy

Or you could, you know, use it yourself.

Just a thought.

[iNEEDaniPhone @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:15PM]

These pictures look GREAT. Does anyone know if there is an interactive version of the Nokia N97 online like http://interactiveiphone.com for the iPhone? I really want to test it out before I decide if I want to get one of these instead of an iPhone.

[icecreamcake @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:23PM]

You can look at the video and see most of the interface. I think that gives you a good idea of what to expect if you get the phone.

[iNEEDaniPhone @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:17PM]

These pictures look GREAT. Does anyone know if there is an interactive version of the Nokia N97 online like http://interactiveiphone.com for the iPhone? I really want to test it out before I decide if I want to get one of these instead of an iPhone.

[G @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:38PM]

Nokia RDA is something like that. it's just not a simulator because it uses actual phones. and that's the reason there is a waiting queue. I haven't tried it myself yet, but you can if you're feeling lucky: http://www.forum.nokia.com/Technology_Topics/Application_Quality/Testing/Remote_Device_Access/Instructions_for_RDA_Usage.xhtml

[Rik @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:19PM]

I'll have to go and get this one... resistance is futile.

[CrackDealer @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:19PM]

Not that I know of but if you find one let me know cause I want to try out the interface & I don't any stores in the US will be carrying the N97

[GeekGirl @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:24PM]

I will wait and see the iPhone before deciding...

[sam @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:42PM]

not much to see there, apple's going to release the same phone with minor modifications for 3rd time.

[Lundmark @ Jun 4th 2009 5:46AM]

@sam:

Like you have *any* idea. Just shut up.

[mirakutea @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:25PM]

Where's the detailed software reviews of these things, the looks are all samey these days.

[Malaycobra @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:30PM]

They had me at "hola"

[SteveP @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:42PM]

Played with one in the Nokia shop in London today.. It's FAST. and doesn't feel at all cheap, my wait for a Pre has just shortened to non-existent.. I want an N97 now.