Nokia N97 available tomorrow at US flagship stores
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Jun 8th 2009 8:02PM
posted Jun 8th 2009 8:02PM
[Thanks, Shoham]
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Suck it, Apple.
I'll suck your mama's Adam's apple.
The N97 and the Palm Pre are both way better than todays total disappointment that is the iPhone 3GS.
another trash phone after iPhone 3GS.... iPhone 3GS is basically premium for outdated hardwares. this Nokia N97 is premium for poor quality and a whole load of features people don't use.
But if it between the two, I'll take the Nokia any day. Apple can wait...... and wait.
I cannot comment about this phone yet because I have not used it. But a 400MHz processor in a $700 phone seems weak. That's equally as fast as the 3G iPhone, no? And not that much faster than the 2G?
I will try out this phone this week/weekend but there is no way I will be buying it even if I find it to be 'better' then the 3G S. I don't have $700 to spend. Most people don't in times like these. $100 for the 32GB iPhone after I sell my 2G is far easier to swallow then $500.
struck a nerve, iTrolls?
Don't fall for the MHz scam, like the megapixel scam. You cannot compare different devices using "MHz". Just compare a 1.6GHz Atom to a 1.6GHz Core Solo.
@gs
True. The Atom technology is different then P4, Celeron, Core Solo, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo. But how different is arm 11 processor in the N97 running at 400MHz different then an arm 11 processor running at 600MHz?
i've always loved how crazy this iphone nuts are. like, i've never seen anyone try to make being crazy...cool.
@Shenanigans
The Samsung i8910 Omnia HD, while a fantastic phone, has some UI lag compared with a 5800 (not that the 5800 is perfect). The omnia is S60 on 600 mhz with 3d hardware acceleration whereas the 5800 is 370 mhz with no 3d hardware acceleration.
$700??? What am I paying for? A Carl Zeiss lens and an FM radio.
I gotta agree it is a fine handset. Nokia deserves props on their top-of-the-line fully-featured model.
@ totalundone-
He said don't let the MHz scam (clock speed) fool you, not if the UI was written by a pro or a 10 year old. Of course, nicely written code can work better on a slower processor then crap code on a processor 2x as fast.
Again, not his point or mine. I have not used the N97 or the OS to comment. Even if the OS is coded well, a 400MHz processor still sounds weak in a $700 in the year 2009. What else am I paying for besides a dead man's theory of the way the glass is situated in the lens?
@Shenanigans
I would guess the big differences between the "two" processors will be a significant amount of heat and failure rate.
Ya, suck that iPhone 3GS has a superior GPU and CPU to the now antiquated N97.
Why does Nokia _Flagship_ model still have resistive touchscreen? That's stupid. They are still in the 90s
Ok, 3 times in this thread people have used "then" instead of "than"...
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE PEOPLE.
The classiest phone on the Engadget front page so far.
It's not the front cam.
Or the tilting VGA widescreen.
Or the qwerty.
Or the homescreen widgets....
It's just the classiest phone on the front page.
Or the Carl Zeiss 5.0 mp camera.
Sorry I forgot... it's just too many features compared to the "other" phones on the front page so far.
I have to agree. If it had Android on it I'd totally jump on it, BTW.
Or the 16:9 video recording
Or the dual LED flash
Or the flash supported web browser
ahh the features keep coming
too bad its not got a great touch screen and its not that nippy..
What bands does this use? AT&T or T-Mobile USA?
It's an unlocked GSM phone, so you can use it on either one.
Too bad all of these features are hard to use because the operating system suck
All of those features are unique and very appealing...so much so, that I strongly considered the N97 over the Pre and iPhone. Of course, the trade off of better hardware IS reflected in the price. Most of us would prefer an Aston Martin to a Vette (for lack of a better analogy), but they don't charge the same for them. I wonder what the subsidized price of the N97 is/is going to be? Are there plans for a US carrier at all? Impatience and convenience got the best of me, and I took the Pre plunge. It certainly stands on it's own merits, and I'm already on Sprint....but, I could see myself switching down the road if the reason is compelling enough.
Classiest meaning it feels like it's back from the 1990s?
it sucks that nokia smartphones don't get subsidized as much here in the states, they're truly great phones, and I for one welcome the competition to existing companies.
but do you welcome the robot overlords?
lazer eyed pandas will save us all from the robots.
I agree, Nokia makes solid phones.
I just wanted to warn everyone that Nokia has removed the built-in VoIP/SIP client in the N97 as reported by several people online. Do not buy this handset if that's what you're looking for... yes, you'll be able to install Nimbuzz, Fring, and various third-party clients but the built-in, highly-stable, and energy efficient built-in client from the Nokia E61 era is no more. Yes, Nokia supposedly has an API but they want third-party developers to create the apps. This is very lame.
Why the "warning"? I already have like 4 VOIP apps on my S60 phone.
I for one tried really hard to get the built-in VoIP client to work... but i gave up on it after a while. Fring made the job MUCH easier. So I couldn't care less about it being removed.
Does this mean i wont be able to make voip calls using skype? i was planning on using skype as my phone :(
spiky, you can still install a 3rd party app to use skype
There's just two (or even more) little problems, S60 and OVI, no matter how classy it is :|
What exactly is the problem with Ovi? It works and does what it's supposed to do.
Ovi is a plus in my opinion. First of all, the ability to sync my notes and Calendar memos, To-Do's, Contacts, etc. is really good. Easy to manage all my things. Secondly, the Ovi Store needs time like all App Stores for mobile phones to start bringing the really good apps in. So far, there are solid apps to download. The integration is good, why hate it?
Is the touch-screen as high quality as say the ones on the pre/iphone? Or is it just a regular poke-sensitive one?
It's a much higher resolution screen, so you'll be able to watch your DVDrips at full quality.
But yeah it's got a resistive (but highly sensitive) touchscreen, which means it will work in the winter when it's too cold to take off your gloves to operate it.
I'd much rather take gloves off once in a while than bust out the 90's stylus just to get any accuracy. I have a feeling in not in the minority on this one.
@scott: The N97 doesn't even have a stylus...
I own a 5800, last time I had to use the stylus was the first and only time I tried handwriting. And the N97 has an even better screen.
You should try it before trashtalking.
Actually it does have a stylus
It has a stylus but it's not an integral part of the unit like it is with the 5800 because you don't use the mini keyboard with the N97 and it's not needed.
As for the resistive touchscreens, All About Symbian reviewed it and claim it's more sensitive than the 5800 but less sensitive than the iPhone although the degree of difference is hardly noticeable. The processor is fine as well although the firmware needs updated to cope with the effects as the graphics chips aren't being fully utilized yet.
Apart this news Engadget really feels like Apple dot com.
And the sponsor for.... ?! bandwidth? is.. ;)
Im happy with my G1 if i am gonna change it will be amoled! qwerty big battery android phone ;D
You're tired of all the discussion regarding Apple, but then you come into a non-Apple post and what topic do you immediately bring up?
He started with "Apart this news Engadget...". Now if he takes notice that allelse is about apple this is a correct platform for this.
JJEEEEEZZZ.... I tip you on this news and I don't even get a shout out? That's the last time I throw some info your way engadget....
I definitely think this would look a lot better in black, because the camera, light sensor, earpiece, etc, would blend in better.
It's available in black and white. It does look much better in black, IMHO.
Sorry to disappoint both of you, but it comes in white and BROWN. Not Black.
From Nokia's Site:
"Available colors:
Transition Black"
White is pretty much the default and Black is the only optional, not BROWN.
It's probably for NA only then as gsmarena states and shows only the white and brown N97... Good to know they have the black as well!
When it comes to phones like this... am soooo glad i am European.
its a shame America is a small market with a VERY LOUD VOICE, because the Europeans and the Koreans are making great product which is overlooked by the LOUD AMERICAN voices Engadget, Buzz Out Load and the rest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT0OqHr3wHQ
LOL THATS RIGHT LOL AT YOU.
You're just another jealous, elitist European...
If it had a better processor it would be my choice. I'm holding out for the i7500
At a certain point, processor speed is just a number. If it does everything you need it to do and it does it quickly enough, then the processor speed shouldn't matter. You won't know until you try it.
I am guessing it matters as developing for the phone is then limited. More processor speed equals more potential for process intensive apps i.e. those that integrate some 3D physics simulation and look good when combined with a range of sensors on the phone, right?
so did any one check out nokiausa.com
it doesnt say preorder anymore it says buy now ?
I tried it. If you add it to your cart, the status is "Pre-Order"
yes but it has changed from yesterday when i checked it said preorder on main screen. i think there changing everything on the website
so i think it should be shipping soon
other than the flagship stores, does nokia have normal stores in the usa? I have searched and searched and can't seem to find any
There was a store called Nokia at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in DC for a number of years, looked official, but I guess it left. Not sure if maybe Nokia killed off their stores to make way for the two flagships, or if that was never official.
This phone is straight up fugly.
your face is fugly! ^_^
I just called the Chicago store, I'm on the waiting list for the white version. The rep (Joe) said they should be in by Friday, but the black ones are in tomorrow
Where is the Chicago store? I am not in the market for a $700 phone but would love to play with it after work this week.
It's on 543 N Michigan Ave. Basically next to the Gap.
I'm wondering about the Amazon orders. Since I didn't care for the free headset I got one from there. I hope it gets here sooner than the June 29th estimated delivery.
ATT.
Sam: Have you seen the videos of it? The UI is fast as the iPhone, which is pretty much the standard for speed these days. Also, the screen is like the 5800, resistive, but very sensitive so you get the benits of a single touch capicitve ( ala G1 ), and the benefits of a resistive screen: pressure sensisitve and don't have to use fingers.
i cancelled a month ago. then just yesterday funds where pulled from my GOLD VISA lol
lets hope i get it tomrrow so i dont have to swim from HAWAII TO NEW YORK.
This phone blows that one out of the water, on the price also http://atxelectronics.net/Product.aspx?ProductID=199. Bought one last week works great.
240x320 WQVGA resolution...
Anonymous OS...
Fugly....
You were joking, right?
not to mention 700 dollars....i hope you got a discount on it or for free because you are an idiot if you pay that much for a phone
OMG! It's not an apple phone? BASH IT or LOVE IT!!!! Teh bbq sauce, it's too much!
$699 is not going to get Nokia the market share it wants in the states. Not trash talking. The N series happens to have all the hardware features I would want, ideally, in a phone. But $699?? No one should have to spend that much on a phone.
It's contract free.... The iPhone costs the same.
yeah tuna do your research
unlocked phone(N97 or whatever else) on at&t:
$600+($15/month for unlimited internet*24 months) = $960
32GB iphone on at&t:
$299+($30/month for unlimited internet*24 months)=$1020
Where do you get $15/month for unlimited internet on AT&T?
Amazon is selling the N97 for $603.99. Still pricey but don't get "hung up" on the idea that it is a phone. It is a mobile communications device / pmp that you are going to use every day of your life for the next two years or so. This is exactly the kind of purchase where you should spend some extra cash to get the product you really want.
Its a Glitch on ATT plans. If you have a SmartPhone that you buy from ATT you are force to get the $30/mo Plan, but if you get your own phone you can get a $15/mo unlimited Internet Plan.
It's not a glitch, because even if they review and see that it's a N97, etc. they can't lock you into the smart phone plan unless you have one of the phones they consider a smart phone. The only models they consider smart phones are the ones they sell. So yes, this Phone works on the $15 a month data plan.
You're quite right, but unfortunately neither T-Mobile or ATT seem to want to get the Nokia Smart Phones on their subsidized list. The E71X is one of the few exceptions. As always, theres a good set of mom and pop stores that will sell you 'subsidized' nokia phones through T-mobile contracts, through which the phones generally comes to ~ 199. That being said, unlocked and off contract, the N97 is in the same range as high end smart phones : WinMo, iPhone, Pre, etc.
I really seem to be failing pretty bad at using this comment system today.
This was supposed to be a reply to tuna one post above.
I actually bought the E71x but returned it a day later because of AT&T's terrible bloatware and the fact that it lacked a lot of the unlocked E71's better features . . .
The hardware itself was awesome though. Great weight, all metal, great keyboard, great call quality. I wasn't completely sold on S60 though. If I kept it for more than a day, though, I'm sure I could've gotten to like it.
Nokia makes quality phones . . . I too wish their smartphones were offered by US carriers with subsidies.
please refrain from talking to yourself.
@m3tric
Since it's unlocked it can be use on both AT&T and T-Mobile. But for 3G data, it's att only. You can also use edge on tmobile.
we're getting 3g from tmobile end of this year so is future proof until 4g.
it looks real ugly... nokia's going down the road if they don't develop something that would crash less than s60 and look better...
The only ugly part of the phone is the space bar
It's a great, classy looking phone, but jeez, it's the price of a laptop. Unfortunately....pass. Will have to make do with my Nokia flip 6650 for now.
I do not care about the price. I shall be getting this on the 3 network (UK). With the use of Skype, I do not need to pay for anymore calls.
What? No launch party? You gotta be kidding me...
There was a private launch party last week. Guess you weren't on the invite list.
That keyboard looks hopeless. FWIW, the new TouchPro2 pwns this in looks, price and keyboard performance.
I agree, don't know why all this the hype for the N97 when the Touch pro2 is better looking with a better screen and keyboard.
And the comparisons to the iPhone are just out of place cause these are different leagues. Business phones with phisycal keyboards shouldnt be compared to fun gadgets full of fart apps.
Oh look, its the HTC Kaiser (AT&T Tilt)
I need this phone !! Hope that Nokia will reduce the price