adrian_04tl

so im ready for another nokia phone, n well i think its gonna be the N97. i was thinking abouth the E71i but eh, dont like it much.

here are the phones ive had:

son ericsson p990
nokia e61
nokia e61i
nokia n95
armani phone
prada phone
nokia n95-4 (8 gig)
blackberry bold

current: blackberry 8900 (javelin)

N97 SPECS:

General 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - American version
Announced 2008, November
Status Coming soon. Exp. release 2009, June
Size Dimensions 117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 mm, 88 cc
Weight 150 g
Display Type TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 360 x 640 pixels, 3.5 inches
- Proximity sensor for auto turn-off
- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Handwriting recognition
Sound Alert types Vibration; MP3 ringtones
Speakerphone Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5 mm audio jack
Memory Phonebook Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
Call records Detailed, max 30 days
Internal 32 GB storage, 128 MB RAM
Card slot microSD (TransFlash), up to 16GB
Data GPRS Class 32
HSCSD Yes
EDGE Class 32
3G HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP technology
Bluetooth Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port No
USB Yes, v2.0 microUSB
Camera Primary 5 MP, 2592x1944 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, LED flash, video light
Video Yes, VGA@30fps
Secondary Yes, VGA@15fps
Features OS Symbian OS v9.4, Series 60 rel. 5
CPU ARM 11 434 MHz processor
Messaging SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, RSS feeds
Radio Stereo FM radio with RDS, Visual radio; FM transmitter
Games Yes + downloadable
Colors White, Brown
GPS Yes, with A-GPS support; Nokia Maps 2.0 Touch
Java Yes, MIDP 2.0
- Digital compass
- MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+/MP4/M4V player
- MPEG4/WMV/3gp/Flash video player
- TV-out
- Voice command/dial
- Pocket Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF viewer)
- Flash Lite 3
- T9
Battery Standard battery, Li-Ion 1500 mAh (BP-4L)
Stand-by Up to 432 h (2G) / 408 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 9 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G)
Music play Up to 40 h
Misc Price group

so, im deciding on a new phone n the n97 looks like a winner!

any suggestions on other phones i should consider?

savage

looks nice, how much are they going for unlocked?

I like the fact that it has buttons, unlike the iPhone...

savage

so i was checking this phone out the other day and I don't know how I felt about seeing an exposed ribbon cable to the display when it slides open. It's a 800-900 dollar phone and you think they could have come up with something better...

adrian_04tl

haha, the tilt screen is the only thing thats making me think twice. over all its awsome phone. youre right on the price. NOT MY PRICE THO.
i can ususally pick these phones up at close to nothing for myself.

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

I am also contemplating either this or the BB Bold. I have been rocking the 8300 since it came out.

I love the BIS setup on it, but don't like the $30 per month.

The N97 is selling on amazon for 604 with a scheduled ship date of June 26th I believe.

I thought there would have been more talk in regards to this phone, but am surprised!

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Who's getting this sick phone other than me??

I'll probably wait til the new FW is released... can't wait!!!

Fulani, wrong forum try HoFo.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

$604 with free shipping from Amazon... not in stock til end of the month though.

harminder247

iTrader: (1)

How ths screen on this? Is it like the lg vu? bb storm? I want to get it but dont want something with a retarded screen.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

The 5800 screen was pretty responsive so I can only imagine this one is better.

Man, don't compare this phone to that garbage!

adrian_04tl

i got the e71. dont like it much. ill pick this one up. expensive tho.

not sure if i want the international or US version tho...

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

I have the E71-2 and love it!

You can't compare E series and N series though!

Where do you live?

mdkxtreme

I saw a vid on youtube and some guy reviewed saying that the "ribbon" that supports the opening and closing of the screen is surprisingly sturdy.

My girl is getting this phone at the end of the month so I'll probably provide a review after a weeks use.

Other than that, this phone looks really promising. Although the iPhone has a TON of apps, I don't know how much app support this phone will have in the nokia community considering this phone resembles a lot from the iPhone.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Um... what phone do you have now? S60 has a TOOOOON of apps!!!!

I think I'll have this phone by July 1 via Amazon Prime!

mdkxtreme

Really? My bad. I have the iPhone by the way. Its just when I tried to find apps for my friend's Nokia XpressMusic 5800, I couldn't find that many apps for it.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

They aren't as easy to find (no app store til now, Ovi).

mdkxtreme

OVI!! YES!! Thank you for the info. I didn't know there was a central store for nokia apps. I was wondering why nobody got into the same game as Apple with their App store. I've always been a fan of nokia and I'm glad theres a central app store for it.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

For anyone thats interested, I just purchased my NAM N97 for $594.XX including tax and over night shipping from NokiaUSA.com!

Make sure the following codes are all applied:
Nok10p (should be automatically applied)
Nokiatheatre (needs to be inputted manually)
n97bkfreight (free overnight shipping applied automatically)

mdkxtreme

make sure to write a review after at least a week of use!!!!!

adrian_04tl

im in anaheim, im calling right now to et pricing

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

there are already a ton of reviews out there but I'll definitely post some pics and my thoughts. Check howardforums for user reviews / comments. It seems that many ppl that own one are enjoying it and ppl that have only played with one in a store say its not worth it. I've waited too long for this phone to listen to other ppl. Worst case, ill sell it and get most of my money back.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

if u live in the US and are on ATT with a data plan, get the NAMmodels of any gsm phone. 3G is essential on a smartphone

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

ARRIVES TODAY!

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Just an FYI... this phone is SICK! Get it now!

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

No one seems to be interested but eh.. since you asked:

I've used the phone intensively for a couple days now and here are my initial impressions:

Size... not as much of a brick as I had thought. Its actually pretty light too. Based on specs online, its 3.6mm thicker than the 3G iPhone.

Build quality is pretty damn solid. Some people complained about the QWERTY slide-out keyboard and I can see where they're coming from. Honestly, I think its because they weren't used to it. Coming from an E71, I was frustrated at first since my WPM decreased substantially. However, I can already see myself improving on speed and accuracy so I think the keyboard is a non-issue. The slider / hinge is solid. If anyone here remembers the N95 wobbly slider issue, you'll be happy to know that the N97 doesn't rattle, creak or make any noise whatsoever! The screen is very responsive and I have no issues using my fingers to select small text links. People have complained that the phone doesn't have enough RAM... well it doesn't have a whole lot of extra RAM but it's got enough to do what it says its gonna do.

RF on the N97 is improved over my N82 and E71. Signal in my apartment is usually very spotty but with the N97, I get at least 1-2 bars everywhere (not always 3G though).

The camera is pretty decent. Although a 5MP camera is no longer a big deal, I feel like the sensor is updated from the N95 / N82 ones. Here's a picture I took with the N97... notice the edge when its full blown... pretty crisp and not too blurry.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmkiang...41520/sizes/o/

The dual LED flash isn't ideal but its better than a single LED flash. These can be turned on while recording video which is nice.

The OS (S60v5) is a little different than previous S60 versions I've used but familiar at the same time. All the settings are in the same places so a regularly Nokia user can jump right in.

I transferred ~400 songs to my N97 last night... average transfer speed was 3.4MB/sec using the provided USB2.0 cable. I sync'd it with my iTunes playlist using a free 3rd party app. Very streamline.

The accelerometer is very responsive... no issues here.

Haven't fully tested out the GPS fully but everytime I've had to use it outside, it locked out pretty quickly using Google Maps.

Music playback isn't very impressive but I don't think my settings were ideal. Speakers are not as good as the N95 ones were.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with my purchase but a new firmware is desperately needed. I haven't had to perform a hard reset yet but I know of many that have.

Hope this was helpful.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Oh I forgot...

It also has 32GB on board memory and an expandable memory slot for a micro SD card up to 16GB.

Here are some pictures I took of the phone:

ChodTheWacko

I'm curious how you had an e61 and an e61i, and yet don't like the e71i.
I assume from that transition that you must have liked either the e61
or the e61i.

- Frank

Python2121

It is a nice phone, I played with my friends n97 the other day. I wish I could have the n97 hardware with webOS

jangkai

I looked into this phone today and was debating whether I should buy this or go with the 3G-S. What carrier did you go with, ATT? and how much is the 3G data plan? I've heard you can just stick with the basic $20 plan and no need for a $30 iphone plan.

Also would it be ok to use this with t-mobile and go with their 3g plan? Thanks for your help.

I really like the phone but I'm debating whether its worth $600.

Mizouse

yea, i miss flash on my cell phone camera

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

jw, I use ATT. I'm using the "basic" unlimited data plan... not the iPhone one and it works fine. I don't believe this phone will work with the Tmob 3G but I could be wrong. Not many phones have the proper hardware to run the TMob 3G.

You're 22 with an 09 AWD TL... whats another $600?

Miz, get the N86. 8MP cam with a bulb flash!

jangkai

Well I gotta wait out my 2year contract first with my 2G iPhone. Only 2months left! Then I shall look at my options but this is definitely at the top of my list. Thanks jmkiang, your review was very helpful!

tiredandhungry67

just fyi, you can use get the n97 whenever you want because it comes unlocked, so it does not matter whether you are under contract or not.

if you wanna be ballin, get the 3gs which will lock you in for 2 years, and the n97 it's a great phone, i used to own the n95, and loved it. then i played on my friend's n97, and ever since i resent the fact that i didn't wait and settled for a 3g iphone

tegkid

iTrader: (7)

n97 that i preordered back in early may came in last monday. I sold it this monday.
Made 200 bucks and have no regrets.

e71-2 and $700 > e71-2 and n97
currently looking out for an i8910.

if you have any questions about the device feel free to contact me.

adrian_04tl

well the e61, and e61i were both unlocked. the e71(x) from att so that probably why. i dont like the querty either too small. the e61i had the perfect one. last, the e71 has this extended piece at the bottom where it says "att" and it make the phone look ugly

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Yeah from what I hear, the E71x is JUNK.

Owned the N97 for a couple weeks now. I absolutely love this phone. It can/may still be a little buggy (widgets) BUT I feel like once Nokia releases a new FW for it, it'll run smooth as butta!

Plus, apparently it is VERY durable... some guys in UK did some stress tests on it... lemme dig up the link.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

OK I can't find the videos at work since all YouTube vids are blank to me.

Just google "N97 stress test" and you should find it. Tests were performed by N97geeks.com. Pretty impressive screen... a sharp key didn't even scratch it!!

adrian_04tl

just got mine today!!! in white. phone looks like a million bucks.

it is in need of a new software, or atleast an icon image upgrade.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ Haha nice! I was under the impression that you weren't gonna get one.

Brando B

I've read many great reviews of this phone and considering it for my next phone, but is this phone available for the Verizon network?

Brando

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

No. VZW uses CDMA phones (non-GSM, no SIM cards).

The best way to use this phone in the US is to switch over the ATT.