N97 vs N97 mini---I have an E90

I went from the 9300 (3+ years) to an N97.

I kind of felt the screen of the N97 was a little too small, so I'd think you'd want to go for size (i.e. N97 over N97 Mini).

My biggest adaptation was the smaller keyboard, but I've now gotten used to having the space bar right-shifted and having so many fewer keys (takes more keystrokes to get numbers and symbols than the 9300).

When my N97 went back for the lens scratch/GPS repair I used my 9300 again and had a hard time going back to the 9300 keyboard.

I am in the US and have yet to see another person with an N97/N97 mini.

If you were in my neck-of-the-woods, I'd let you have a look-see to help make a decision.

Pluses: software that can handle the latest Word, Powerpoint and Excel documents, much faster operation, quicker typing, bigger memory, less weight in my pocket, 3.5G and WiFi, camera, GPS, Mail-for-Exchange.

Minuses: no good ebook readers, no PDF printer, no HTML email (uses Web browser to read if sent as HTML attachment), chokes on multiple apps open simultaneously (v20 software begins shutting apps down when it needs more memory), no Symbian BASIC language, no OPL (but QT is coming).

So far, the pluses outweigh the minuses and provided that programmers don't bail on the S60 5th edition platform in favor of Maemo 5 (N900), there should be more programs written 'ere long.

Thank you. I too still have my 9300 and my E62. I like the screen on the E62 as it seems and maybe its the shape but it seems pretty big. I wonder how the N97 compares in looking at the stuff on the screen of the E62??? My E90 has a four inch screen on the inside and its a very good screen for viewing. I am in Washington State and we have lots of good electronic stores here but can't find any N97's to look at. I have seen some other screens that seem to be about the same size. I think the Iphone is 3.5 inches too.

Is there a virtual key board on the screen also if you don't want to open it up for a quick note???

The chiclet keys on the N97 remind me of the keys on my Psion Series 3a. Not sure if they are similiary in real life???

Thanks,
Bobby

rootytooty wrote:Thank you. I too still have my 9300 and my E62. I like the screen on the E62 as it seems and maybe its the shape but it seems pretty big. I wonder how the N97 compares in looking at the stuff on the screen of the E62??? My E90 has a four inch screen on the inside and its a very good screen for viewing. I am in Washington State and we have lots of good electronic stores here but can't find any N97's to look at. I have seen some other screens that seem to be about the same size. I think the Iphone is 3.5 inches too.

Is there a virtual key board on the screen also if you don't want to open it up for a quick note???

The chiclet keys on the N97 remind me of the keys on my Psion Series 3a. Not sure if they are similiary in real life???

Thanks,
Bobby

Hi Bobby,

I also have owned the 9300, the 9500 and a couple of E90's, and if the E90 was just a little bit lighter I would still be using it as my only phone.

I have also used a 3GS iPhone since launch and right now am trying to ditch that and get back to a Nokia device.

I owned 2 N97's back when they were on firmwares 10 and 12, and well, 10 was horrible, 12 was better and by all accounts V20 or is it 2.0 😊 is supposed to make the phone very nice.

Now I have just got a N97 mini, and this apparently has same basic OS as the N97 with v20 firmware.

Its quite good actually, and after a few days, its growing on me......in the first few days it felt odd against the iPhone, but some of the old feelings for S60 is coming back.

In fact, I am starting to thing about trying the bigger N97 again, cos I def feel the screen on the mini is a little small after iPhone.

The keyboard of the regular N97 was OK I think, if anything, a little nicer than this mini which is a little small, although at the moment I am still much quicker on the iPhone oddly, must just be practice.

Without opening the slide, all you have is the standard portrait telephone style keypad, but that is fine to type out a quick reply, and as opening the slide is such a nice feeling, you will do that often as not 😊

All in all, I would say a N97 Classic would be your best choice, oh, and put Opera Mini 5 Beta on it as the first thing you do, it is MILES ahead of the stock browser.

Kev

Thanks Kev. Actually the size and weight of the E90 doesn't bother me. Its just not having the big screen on top. I also had a E71 and its was a great phone and very light but the screen was to small. That is why I went to the
E90. Does the N97 have more capability as far as browsing goes like flash and other rendings??? Or is it about the same as the E90 as far as capability goes??? Or does the Version 5 make a difference???

What I would probably do is if and when I get a N97 before installing probgrams on it I would update the firnware so I get it done before I install programs.

Can I use any of my Version 3 from my E90 on the N97 version 5????

Thanks,
Bobby

To be honest Bobby, its a while since I had my E90, so I forget a lot, but you can certainly view video inside the browser, something missing from iPhone, but I am the wrong person to ask at the moment, still got a lot to learn about V5 of S60

A lot of V3 software does run, despite telling you it won't when you install it, but not everything works fully with the touchscreen as such.

Kev

Thanks Kev. I think its also that "boys and their toys" I would like to see it, touch it and buy it.

I might just buy one anyway and see what happens.

I will just ask you this knowing havn't hard your E90 for awhile---do you find the N97 more convenient just to use under normal conditions and does it have a good speaker phone and speakers for music???

Thanks,
Bobby

No, the speakers are horrible, actually, I am speaking of the mini now, can not recall on the normal N97.

Way way worse than the fantastic N95 8GB, (you know, I may simply get another of these for my S60 fix), and not even as good as iPhone which only has 1 speaker.

If you do not mind the weight of your E90, I would say stick with it 😊

Kev

Thanks Kev,
Actually I am really thinking of it the more I read and hear about the N97. I really apprecaite your take on it as you sound like a reasonable guy and not like some on here that just badmouth the devices. You gave me some real things to think about.

Thanks,
Bobby

A friend of mine has the E90, which he has had since new, and I have the N97, so we are often comparing and contrasting.

I like the big screen and the big keyboard. He wants on his device:

Touchscreen ( esp for interent use )
Built in mass memory
3.5mm jack plug
FM transmitter ( this is not present on the N97 Mini )
TV Out.
5mp camera

Personally, if the E90 came with the above AND with thinner form factor, I�d definitely consider it.

I�m verging on giving up with touchscreens, as I don�t think they make mobile life quicker or better, and most of the times, have to use the device with two hands. Did look at the E72, but of course smaller non touch screen.

Thanks for the info. One of the other folks also mentioined that the speakers, at least on the N97 Mini aren't very good. The key board and the 4" screen on the E90 are both good.
Probably, like guys are, we usually want something new that has just come out.

I also have a E62 and that is a great phone too. Sometimes I alternate between the E62 and the E90.

I had a E71 and it is a great phone too but the screen was a bit small for me.

Thanks,
Bobby