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N97....is it worth it now?

10 replies · 3,583 views · Started 10 November 2009

scranusesscruny 10 Nov 2009, 16:49

Hello all,
I apologise if this topic has been discussed by you all before, this is my first post and probably my most important.

I have been considering a new phone as my contract expires in a few months I have been looking at the HTC Touch Pro 2, HTC Hero, Blackberry, etc. and have come to an annoying conclusion. Every phone out there has some sort of annoying compromise that I have to make after being spoilt by the wonderful N95 8gb.

It usually boils down to have having all the features I want but terrible camera or no 3g etc. So the N97 feels like a natural step in the right direction. However, the press and even some of your own forum members have given it less than favourable reviews.

So the question I ask is....Is the N97 worth committing to for 18 months or do you think that Nokia is going to drop this perceived turkey as soon as the N900 hits the shelves? Thus ending all serious support and updates.

Thanks again.

snoFlake 10 Nov 2009, 17:17

No the N97 is garbage, obviously if it drops low enough into bottom of mid tier phone prices then it becomes reasonable value but it's hardware limitations will always hamper the software and what you can expect it to do (about half of what was advertised). The N97 mini is better but as Steve's pointed out in his dual review (strongly suggest you read, it's on the front page) although they've addressed the C: shortage issue on the Mini they still haven't up-specced the RAM (probably because fixing both would have sunk the N97). The things omitted on the Mini I persoanlly think are no biggie and actually more compact size better keyboard (although I don't really care about qwerty) and better manufacturing quality (so far no complaints) would sway me there. Problem is it's a bit pricey - actaully N97 new is way too expensive new but they can't let it slump to it's real market level without compromising the Mini's price. If you have to have S60 V5 then maybe have a look at X6 (once that is available without CWM) or SE Satio (but I think their firwmware support is going to be a bit sketchy and it does have some bugs). After my experience of N97 and Nokia's customer help (basically none and a waste of days of my life) I'd look at some of the new Android stuff Droid or Hero or cheaper HTC Tattoo or possibly waiting into Q1 next year for raft of new Android stuff or consider selling my soul and getting fruitphone :tongue:. The N900 looks really exciting but I'd wait to see how it goes for a bit, Nokia's recent track record on being able to implement new/complicated solutions is poor and I personally wouldn't trust them again even with a free phone :reddy:

nottmbantam 10 Nov 2009, 18:45

Just bear in mind that the N900 is being touted as an Internet Tablet first, with telephony features second, so AFAIK, it doesn't have the capacity for MMS for example, and also will not allow simultaneous 3G Data and voice calls.

In my own experience, I had the N97 for around 4 months, but it is now back in its box and I've gone back to using my old N95, I just found it too unreliable.

However, there are quite a few positive reviews of the phone, and these mainly tend to be users who have the latest v20 software, so that would be my advice if you are going to get one - make sure it has v20 software.

riverboat 10 Nov 2009, 19:01

As stated on another post, i debranded and updated to V2 within hours of getting the phone. I paid �146 on an 18month contract with 3 (i have been with them years so get a healthy discount - but the offside is their sh*t customer support from overseas) I love my N97 and couple it with Iplayer with the ability to download for later play and Mobbler, and i'm very happy with it thank you.

One word of warning, if your going to get this phone GET an inclusive internet allowance to get the best out of it.

celios 10 Nov 2009, 19:08

scranusesscruny wrote:Hello all,
I apologise if this topic has been discussed by you all before, this is my first post and probably my most important.

I have been considering a new phone as my contract expires in a few months I have been looking at the HTC Touch Pro 2, HTC Hero, Blackberry, etc. and have come to an annoying conclusion. Every phone out there has some sort of annoying compromise that I have to make after being spoilt by the wonderful N95 8gb.

It usually boils down to have having all the features I want but terrible camera or no 3g etc. So the N97 feels like a natural step in the right direction. However, the press and even some of your own forum members have given it less than favourable reviews.

So the question I ask is....Is the N97 worth committing to for 18 months or do you think that Nokia is going to drop this perceived turkey as soon as the N900 hits the shelves? Thus ending all serious support and updates.

Thanks again.

Not worth committing to an 18 month contract for. There will be better phones available in the first half of 2010 I'm sure.

ironass 11 Nov 2009, 08:58

nottmbantam wrote:Just bear in mind that the N900 is being touted as an Internet Tablet first, with telephony features second, so AFAIK, it doesn't have the capacity for MMS for example, and also will not allow simultaneous 3G Data and voice calls.

I seriously looked at the N900 a few weeks back but came to the same conclusion as you Notty.

It sort of smacks of the original iPhone which made a great iTouch but a lousey phone. :icon13:

Degriz 11 Nov 2009, 14:50

I shall never be buying Nokia again. Have been telling everyone I can find to do the same. Cant trust the buggers.