Nokia N97 Review

Nokia N97Explain star rating

RRP $1129.00

Review Date

Thursday, 2nd of July, 2009

Features

Form Factor : Slide

Mobile Network Bands : UMTS (2100MHz)

The Final Word

Although the Nokia N97 dwarfs the iPhone in terms of features, the software doesn't match the standard set by Apple. The N97's flip-up design, keyboard and massive storage capacity are fantastic features, but it needs software upgrades and further development of the Ovi Store to truly become an iPhone challenger. As it stands, it has great potential but feels somewhat incomplete.

Review

Nokia's most anticipated mobile phone since the N95, the Nokia N97 smartphone combines a touch screen with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. This mobile phone boasts impressive hardware — including a 5-megapixel camera with flash, GPS, Wi-Fi and an FM transmitter — but the N97's customisable home screen widgets and touch-screen user interface are also key features.

The Nokia N97's much heralded flip-up screen design isn't new. We've seen similar tilt displays on HTC smartphones, including the now superseded TyTN II. The tilting screen is well implemented and the angle of the display makes it ideal for multimedia playback. Importantly, the N97's screen is one of the most responsive resistive touch screens we've reviewed, though we would have preferred a capacitive touch screen (the same technology Apple uses on the iPhone 3GS, which means you don't need a stylus). Thankfully, almost all of the N97's functions and features can be activated purely by using your fingers, though Nokia does include a stylus in the sales package.