Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Hello and thank you for reading this review.
I am a phone app developer and have had some 'face time' with the Nokia N97. I'll let you know some of the more in depth details so you can decide if this is the right phone for you or not. There are many positive features about this phone, but a few potential pitfalls for power users as well. Average users will probably never notice any of the pitfalls, but probably will never use some of the best features of this phone either to justify the cost.
This is the new Nokia flagship phone and it packs almost every feature anyone could ever want. It has a DVD quality camcorder with sample videos found here:
http://www.vimeo.com/4352001
Notice how well the mic picks up the creeks of the boats in Monte Carlo, and how rich the colors look. That is due to the Carl Zeiss lens Nokia has put in. The quality is also great and can be sent directly to the TV via the TV out cable, but I would recommend making a DVD from the memory card as the quality of the cable isn't as good as the DVD quality this phone provides. Video starts up quickly, which is an improvement from the previous versions.
The pictures taken by this phone are of very good quality. Many consumers are fooled by 'megapixels' (mp). Well folks, after 5mp or so, mp doesn't mean much. All it does is make your picture size better, it does NOT increase the QUALITY. I assume most of us aren't pro graphic artists that need huge pictures to zoom in on the most minute detail, and if you are, then you probably don't need this review :P
The lens and picture quality of this phone is superb, but not as good as the Samsung 8 sadly. It is by far tho, one of the best mobile phone cameras around. You can notice some problems in darker areas and they went with a dual LED flash instead of the Xeon gas flash. The Xeon gas flash would have provided much better lighting in low light situations, however as a phone enthusiast I feel it's good enough.
View sample images from thesymbianblog.com:
http://vaibhavsharma.wordpress.com/files/2009/05/nokia-n97-camera-photo-sample-01.jpg
and
http://vaibhavsharma.wordpress.com/files/2009/05/nokia-n97-camera-photo-sample-03.jpg
Judge for yourself.
This phone is a TRUE smart phone OS which means you can download apps for it such as VPN software to connect to your office network and apps such as PUTTY or RDP clients to remote control real computers at the house/office. With 3G speeds the potential is limitless.Now for the bad. Nokia decided to use the old ARM II CPU found in the N85, 95, etc. phones but increased the clockspeed (mhz) slightly. We were looking forward to the new TI cpu which would have provided much better speeds, at the cost of battery life. They also stuck with 128mb ram with about 80mb available after boot up. I don't know about you but after I load up all of my apps and get cranking, I eat that up. I was able to notice some slow down in the pre-build when I:
-opened up several websites w/ flash content
-ran the music player
-opened up 'widget' applications
-tried basic functionality
Most users will probably never do that. If you are a power user, then you probably already know about the Samsung Omnia HD which boasts of similer features, but also the new faster CPU and dedicated GFX chip which means you can play Ipod type 3d games with ease. The final point is with the potentially underpowered CPU, you will not be able to play the super high resolution videos the Samsung can play.
Finally this phone has the slower 3G speeds which don't reach 7mbps, will you need 7mbps? Probably not. I think for 99% of users, the current 3G speeds offered by this phone are fine.
I tried out the phone and pre-ordered, I can't wait to get it. I can't wait to develop some 'widget' applications for it and really see the power of this phone with the newer more stable build.
Thank you for reading this, feel free to respond, yell, scream, or ask any questions!
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Nokia N97 Unlocked Phone, Touchscreen, 3G, 5 MP Camera, A-GPS, 32 GB, MicroSD Slot, and Integrated Ovi Applications--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black)Designed for the needs of Internet-savvy mobile phone users, the Nokia N97 will transform the way people connect to the Internet and to each other. It combines a large 3.5-inch touch display with a full QWERTY keyboard which flips open at an angle for optimal viewing. This provides an "always open" window to your favorite social networking sites and Internet destinations. And with integrated A-GPS sensors and an electronic compass, the device intuitively understands where it is, giving you the ability to update your status on social networks and instant messaging as well as share your location and related pictures or videos with approved friends.
The quad-band Nokia N97 GSM/EDGE phone makes it easy to roam globally and stay in touch with voice and text messaging, and this model is also ready to run on 3G networks both in the US and internationally (850/1900/2100 MHz HSDPA), enabling fast downloads and streaming multimedia while on the go. It also includes integrated Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g) for accessing open networks at work, home, and on the road from a variety of wireless hotspots. You'll also be able to connect to a wide variety of peripherals--including stereo headphones--with the Bluetooth 2.0+EDR capabilities.
The Nokia N97 includes 32 GB of on-board storage and is expandable via optional 16 GB MicroSD memory cards for up to 48 GB of storage. The 5-megapixel camera offers high-quality Carl Zeiss optics, 16:9 and DVD-quality video capture, and support for services like Share on Ovi for immediate sharing over HSDPA and WLAN. Other features include an easily customizable home screen, access to both personal and corporate email, Quickoffice document viewers, TV-out capability for displaying photos and videos on external televisions, stereo FM radio, USB 2.0 connectivity, and up to 9.5 hours of GSM talk time (6 hours when using 3G networks).
Unlocked Phone This unlocked cell phone can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides quad-band connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider. This phone comes with a full manufacturer's warranty.
Additionally, this phone can be paired with 850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA 3G networks in the United States (as well as 2100 MHz 3G networks found around the world, including in Europe and Asia). When paired with a compatible 3G network, you'll enjoy a high-speed connection offering a variety of feature-rich wireless services--from data connectivity to your office to multimedia streaming, and take advantage of simultaneous voice and data services. In areas not served by a 3G network, you'll continue to receive data service via EDGE network (depending on network compatibility).
Note that the downloading of maps, games, music and videos and uploading of images and videos involves transferring large amounts of data. Your service provider may charge for the data transmission, and the availability of particular services and features may vary by carrier.
Phone Features Large and gorgeously colorful, the Nokia N97's 3.5-inch touch display offers a 640 x 360-pixel resolution and support for up to 16.7 million colors for an excellent color depth. The resistive touch screen includes haptic feedback so you know when you've pressed a key or onscreen menu, brightness control, an ambient light detector, and an orientation sensor that effortlessly switches from portrait to landscape viewing. The N97's home screen features the people, content and media that matter the most, including friends, social networks and news. The 16:9 widescreen display can be fully personalized with frequently updated widgets of favorite web services and social networking sites. It's also perfectly suited for browsing the web, streaming Flash videos or playing games.
When you're ready to start typing email or text/instant messages, just flip the N97 on its left side and slide the face up to reveal the full QWERTY keyboard. The display pivots to an angle that makes it easy to read the screen while you're typing.
With A-GPS functionality, you'll be able find your route quickly and easily, whether walking or driving (A-GPS is a network dependent feature that requires a data plan; additional charges may apply). The Nokia Maps application offers richer maps with urban details and satellite views and the ability to search and download information about points of interests, such as restaurants, hotels, companies, travel agencies, airports, and more. Let the built-in compass keep you pointing in the right direction--the map adapts to point the same way you do. Use the Walk pedestrian navigation to find your way, or the voice-guided Drive navigation to find the best route. The Nokia N97 comes with a three-month Walk and Drive navigation license.
The Nokia N97 supports email accounts from more than a thousand internet service providers (ISPs) around the world (SMTP, IMAP4, POP3), as well as Gmail, Yahoo! mail and Hotmail. People who use Microsoft Exchange at work can access their email using the Mail for Exchange mobile email client, which comes pre-loaded (an Exchange email account is required and your Exchange Administrator must have enabled your account for synchronization). You'll enjoy reliable real-time access to your email, calendar, contacts and tasks, as well as be able to download attachments like Word, Excel, Powerpoint or PDF files directly to the device.
With the Carl Zeiss optics on the 5-megapixel camera (2584 x 1938 pixels), you can capture print quality photos and DVD-like quality video clips. Carl Zeiss, a world leader in high quality camera lenses, brings an award-winning legacy to the Nokia N96 with state-of-the-art optics for mobile photography and mobile video. The Zeiss name has been associated with cameras from Hasselblad, Rollei, Yashica, Sony, and Nikon. The camera offers an auto-focus Carl Zeiss lens, dual LED flash, up to 14x digital zoom, and JPEG/EXIF still image file format.
The N97 can also capture videos in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio at 30 frames per second (fps). It includes digital video stabilization, settings for scene, video light, white balance and color tone, and up to a 90-minute clip length. Other features include automatic location tagging (geotagging) of images/videos, images taken in the correct orientation automatically, and Cover Flow viewing of photos with finger motions. Upload your photos and videos to Ovi Share and share them online with friends and family.
This smartphone has an integrated Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g), enabling seamless connectivity with wireless networks at work, at home, and on the roam via Wi-Fi hotspots at airports and coffee shops. Because it's Bluetooth enabled (with version 2.0+EDR), wireless communication headsets can be configured with the phone for total hands-free operation. It also offers Bluetooth stereo audio support (A2DP), enabling you to enjoy your music without any wires. If your laptop is Bluetooth enabled, you can connect wirelessly and enjoy dial-up networking (DUN)--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.
Other features include:
32 GB internal memory, expandable up to 48 GB with optional 16 GB MicroSD card
Integrated stereo speakers
Full web browsing of real web pages; RSS reader
Organize your life with Calendar--plan your day, organize your to-do list and set reminders for important events
Gaming: Use the touch UI to play games and the side keys to control game functions
Stereo FM radio (87.5-108 MHz/76-90 MHz), RDS (requires wired headset to be attached)
Access to Internet videos, compatible with RSS feeds and video podcasts, with support for Flash video
S60 5th edition operating system
Organizer tools: Calendar, to-do list, notes, recorder, calculator, clock, converter
Contacts: advanced contacts database with support for multiple phone and e-mail details per entry and thumbnail pictures
Create, edit, and view email attachments: .doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf
PC application compatibility: Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Lotus Organizer, Lotus Notes
Support for local and remote SyncML synchronization
Speed dialing, voice dialing (speaker independent) and voice commands
Customization through themes, ringtones, applications
Portrait and landscape orientation modes; with transitions via dual slide operation, or auto-rotate controlled by accelerometer
Data transfer application for transfer of PIM information from other compatible Nokia devices
3.5 mm AV connector; USB 2.0 (micro USB connector)
Nokia XpressPrint: direct printing via USB connection (PictBridge), Bluetooth connectivity (BPP), and WLAN (UPnP) or via online printing
Flight mode
Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BIP (for sending images to another device), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), HID (support for mice or joysticks), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PBA (transfer contacts)
Vital Statistics The Nokia N97 weighs 5.29 ounces and measures 4.61 x 2.18 x 0.63 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 9.5 hours of GSM talk time (6 hours while on 3G networks, and up to 430 hours (17.9 days) of GSM standby time (400/16.6 days on 3G networks). It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as the 850/1900/2100 MHz HSDPA 3G frequencies.
What's in the Box Nokia N97, Nokia Battery (BP-4L), travel charger (AC-10U), connectivity cable (CA-101), wired headset (AD-54, HS-45), charger adapter (CA-146), cleaning cloth
Click here for more information about Nokia N97 Unlocked Phone, Touchscreen, 3G, 5 MP Camera, A-GPS, 32 GB, MicroSD Slot, and Integrated Ovi Applications--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black)
