The Nokia N97, released in June 2009 in locked or unlocked N97 packages, is one of the more recent bids for Nokia to penetrate the market for smart phones – and it does a pretty good job at that.

Specifications

• 150 grams – Slightly heftier than most average phones on the market, the weight of the N97 is significant enough to put a little pressure on your pocket.
• 117.2 × 55.3 × 15.9 (18.25 at camera area) mm – these specifications make the N97 a particularly thick smart phone, although the diameters make it comparable to the size of an iPhone.
• Symbian OS – a tried and tested operating system for touch screen phones, the Symbian does a pretty good job.
• 32 GB internal memory with 128MB SDRAM – video and music lovers will be able to store a significant amount of media content on the N97, especially when a 16 GB SD card is thrown into the mix.
• 3.5 inch touch screen – a really big touch screen never hurt anyone, which leaves significantly more room for the user to work and play around in.
• QWERTY keyboard – once the user gets the hang of using the keyboard with both hands, keying in messages and emails is going to be a lot easier than relying solely on the touch screen.
• 5MP camera – picture quality is superb for a cellular phone. The crisp, clear pictures produced are surprising when you consider the N97 is a simple smart phone.
• Support for 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS – constant connection to the web is a must for all smart phones, and the N97 does not fail to deliver.

Quick Review

The N97 is Nokia’s bid to merge traditional smart cellular phones with touch screen features. It is also the Finnish company’s second entry into the world of touch screen phones, preceded by the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. Lessons learned from the past have been put to good use with the touch screen, like improving the front page’s ability to ‘springboard’ useful information for the consumer.

This is where the N97’s strength comes into play. Its front page can be customized with widgets that deliver this information at a quick glance. As such, it is a phone designed specifically for the go-getter that needs information at a glance - anytime, anywhere.

However, the N97’s strengths lie not only in its ability to accommodate widgets and springboard information to the user. The added Nokia Maps feature, the quality of snapshots and the smooth mailing features are definitely three of the most powerful features of the N97. The massive storage space also means that music and video buffs can save a lot of their favorite media on the phone, and that 32 GB can be expanded even further with a 16 GB SD card.

If there is one significant problem with the N97, it lies in the fact that you need to tap on the touch screen a lot if you have to input a text message. This is because the soft keyboard of the N97 is alphanumeric, not in QWERTY format.

Comparisons

It is no big secret that Nokia, along with Samsung and Sony Ericsson, is trying to wiggle into Apple’s iron grip on the smart phone market. Thus, a review of the differences between the N97 and the Apple iPhone is inevitable.

It is then important to note that the N97 and iPhone have two very different ways of interacting with the user. The most obvious example of this is the inclusion of a QWERTY keyboard in the N97, making for a mixed experience with users. The touch screen then serves to expand on the keyboard’s functions, while aiding them at other times.

Die-hard touch screen enthusiasts will frown at the N97’s mixture of keyboard and touch screen commands, and may prefer to stick with the iPhone for its complete reliance on the touch screen. However, the QWERTY keyboard makes mailing and keying in words a significantly easier task. Quick commands and simpler functions can easily be accessed via the touch screen, which indeed mixes things up.

There is also a significant difference in how the two platforms present their main screen. The iPhone is more focused on introducing applications, while the N97 focuses on delivering information to the user. Those looking for a fun, user-friendly phone will then find the iPhone a more attractive option, but those looking for constant updates and quick information may prefer the Nokia N97 unlocked.

Buying considerations

The N97’s practical uses come at a cost, which can range anywhere from $600 to $800 brandnew, depending on your sources. You can still bring these prices down by about $200 if you look for used or second hand N97’s, or if you contact private sellers of phones. The problem here is that you put yourself at considerable risk if you choose to do so.

This is especially true for online sales of smart phones with private individuals, where frauds take the consumer’s money and run without providing the phone. Buying from reputable dealers is still recommended, especially when paying good money for higher-tier smart phones like the Nokia N97.  Whether you choose to buy an unlocked Nokia N97 or unlock it yourself, remember to perform a COD (cash on delivery) agreement to guarantee your safety. This is still the best way to buy an N97 online without exposing yourself to any risk whatsoever.

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