Nokia N97 hands-on and impressions
By Darren Murph 
posted June 3rd 2009 4:41PM
posted June 3rd 2009 4:41PM
posted June 3rd 2009 4:41PM
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Aren't you guys the ones who didn't give us video of the Zune HD?
Fore real... 90% of the video is somewhat out of focus... is that hard to make a good video?
Thats what i was thinking. Seriously, the video looks like it was shot with a cheap camera phone.
it doesn't really look that nice to me. the chrome bezel bugs me. then again, i just dislike chrome things but the protruding bezel doesn't look like it's connected very well to the screen. makes it look kind of like some cheap toy. the keys on the keyboard also look a bit too shallow. it reminds me of a touch pro 2 but much less refined and smooth.
I think it looks better in black (but them what doesn't?)
What I'm upset about is the plastic battery cover. It looks so much cheaper than my E-71 metal one.
Must be a weight issue.
The phone itself looks pretty nice but the OS just looks horrible.
*in whiny three year old voice*
ITS *gasp* NOT *gasp* FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Storm and this just go to show... trying to shoehorn touch-based functionality into an OS designed for a button-based input never works out well. I wish Nokia and SF had scrapped S60 and started afresh on a new OS built purely for touchscreen (capacative ones, too) devices.
Well, there's a new Maemo 5 device with a gsm/hdspa module in it on the way from Nokia ;)
Which makes me wonder if they're putting all of S60 down in feature phone, and will be touting Maemo as their smartphone OS.
Who else think that hinge mechanism is corny as hell.
the phone looks great but why have they decided to go with that thin plastic cover on the back.... Would think they would have learned their lesson since N95. The plastic cover is about the only thing I have been complaining about on my current N95, the hinges breaks off so easily. If I decide to go with N97, I might as well order up a 10 pack of the back covers
From the video, it looks like the N97 uses the BP-4L battery. Which means E71 users who get this will now have a backup battery as well as a backup phone. That's a small nicety.
Grudgingly, I like it. If I wasn't such a diehard Apple fanboy, I'd consider buying one. Nokia makes some nice high-end handsets.
Nothing against the phone, but it just doesn't excite me. The OS is clunky and old-fashioned, the interface is dull, and at least in the video at the read link, the touchscreen doesn't seem very responsive. The phone itself looks good, but not great. I'm not too sure about the materials; the way that plastic back plate sort of snap-crackle-pops off is rather disconcerting. And the sliding mechanism doesn't seem very smooth from the video, it sort of snaps open with a loud crack half the time. Personally, I can't see what the big fuss is about this phone. I just can't see actually buying this over the Pre, the iPhone, an Android device, or a Blackberry (or, for that matter, one of those Tegra or Snapdragon-powered WinMo phones). I suppose for the Symbian fans in the crowd, it might be a different story, but I just don't see the point.
Downrated by Symbian fans in 3...2...1... Ow.
They were using it without removing protective shipping screen from the display. Unresponsivenes might be because of that.
Yeah, maybe you're right.
No, it's because it has a resistive touchscreen instead of a capacitive one which is more responsive and easy to use with fingers. Also, the OS is chunky and oldschool.
@Lundmark
And you know that exactly how?!? Done some comparative studies with and without it. Could you sed me one N97 too, for studying, really would like to have one. :)
Nevermind, yeah, capasitive screen unresposivenes with gloves on is caused by a clunky oldschool crappy OSes too, nice of you explaining it to us. :)
@Newone:
I'm not sure how you were unable to not understand my point, but I'll try again.
Resistive screens are the old type of touchscreen found in the first Palm Pilots, Sony Ericsson's P800 and its successors, touch screen universal remotes, and more. There is a reason that almost all resistive devices come with a stylus - simply because the precision of the screen isn't good enough for use with fat fingers.
Combine this with an old operating system, overhauled to support touch, and you get this. Just look at the video and you'll see that the two soft buttons in the lower corners are still present, as if the phone had hard buttons beneath them like the non-touch Nokias. That's old. Or watch him trying to use the virtual keypad. It's just sad, really.
A capacitive screen would solve the precision issues if combined with a new OS made for touch. Fuck S60 and make something for this generation of phones. Look at the iPhone and Palm Pre - you can't blame them for their touch screen responsiveness, that's for sure.
PS: Yeah, I know you can't use gloves on a capacitive screen, but you really can't on a resistive one either because of the bad precision. Also, try getting out the stylus with gloves on. Should be faster to just take them off...
Not worth the $$. There are much better phones out there.
Can't say I'm digging that keyboard.
Or mabye I'm just spoilt by the HTC Keyboards...
Whoever praises S60 are mentally ill. I Haven't seen worse designed OS in my life!!! And I'm not a Apple fan or Android fan or WinMo fan, but S60 is worse of them all!!!
Your post reminds me of Terry Pratchett's comments on the use of exclamation marks.
I'll just put this in the pile of other nice phones with shitty software. N97, greet your new friends; Mr. Touch HD, Ms. Storm and the fancy Dr Xperia X1. Now please burn.
.
Why is the table in focus and the phone blurred? How hard is it to use a camcorder these days.
At least for India users most of us would anyday favour the N97 over the new iphone. The iphone is way too expensive, network locked, has minimal aftersales support and is normally released at least six months after its US, Europe release. I am very sure Apple will follow the same strategy for the new iphone. Its a shame for Apple, as it shows how a phone which has such a powerful brand name even in India fails because of poor marketing by the company.
the n97 has been released in Qatar for a week now by the way
I believe it's in stock in the UK too at mobilephonesdirect.
Hey Engadget you have two long video review to beat when u get your hands on this phone. the french even crancked out a 70min video and they used a shaky camera..you are better than that, you know how to do a good review.
:D
@ John Doe
I've personally used this phone the build quality is easily better than the iPhone. The hinge is amazing and has a nice "flick" spring assisted motion when it opens and closes. The N97 is made of metal or a very metal feeling plastic, so it feels quite premium.
looks great, the only thing i dont understand is why the reviewer doesnt seem to dare to touch the screen. Yes a capacative screen responds to even the slightest slightest touch, and therefore its better (though less accurate) but this resistive screen works fine too as long as you give it a liiiiiiitle push instead of just the touch of your tip.
anyway, love it, cant wait to get my black n97 to replace my current 5800
I played with the phone at the NYC store and that day I pre-ordered. The screen is much more sensitive than the N810, way better. I did not miss having a stylus, very responsive. I can't wait for my phone. So if anyone wants to test this out go to the Nokia store. I think there is another one in Chicago.
Can't wait to get my hands on it. Come one Amazon.. Ship it Already!!
This is so frustrating, why does amazon changed their "INSTOCK" date again? It now says June 30. I called them up and they dont wanna tell me anything
What are they going to tell you besides that it's shipping later? Nokia is telling people July.
My estimated delivery from Amazon still the same, june 17 to june 29.
If you preordered you can relax, Nokia has already started to ship n97 preorders!!! This is the chat I had w/a nokiausa.com rep, (2day 6/9):
Representative will be with you shortly.
You are now chatting with Rob.
Rob: Hello! I am a NokiaUSA Customer Service Representative who specializes in helping customers choose the right products. May I have your first name please?
You: Will
Rob: Thank you Will.
Rob: How can I help you today?
You: when will you all start shipping the preorders for the n97?
Rob: I can help you with that, we have already started shipping out preorders.
Rob: You should be getting an email with the tracking number in it when it does ship out.
You: YESSS!!!
Rob: Do you have any other questions about our products that I can answer for you?
You: i just wanted 2 know that because i'd found out that the Chicago store will be selling them tomorrow
Rob: I see.
You: thx4 the info
You: i'll be on the lookout
Rob: You are welcome.
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