Camera Phones Plaza

Finally, the waiting is over and we can finally say what we think about the acclaimed N97 smartphone - one of the main rivals of the iPhone, proposed by Nokia. At a first look, except the innovative slide design, the touch smartphone from the N series was endowed with the same features as 5800 Xpress Music. This means that it includes the same operating system, processor, technology, HSDPA 3.6Mbps technology, Wi-Fi, built-in GPS receiver, and the list goes on. However, the main features that differentiate the two phones are the touchscreen and the QWERTY keyboard, which are larger on the N97. If Nokia launched 5800 Xpress Music as the first Nokia touchscreen smartphone and an updated compatible Symbian operating sistem, Nokia N97 should be almost perfect in this regard.

Nokia 5800 had many bugs and, the interface and the operating platform seemed rudimentary, but Nokia has managed to solve most of these bugs in a long series of firmware updates. However, the graphical interface and the basic control of the menus remain the same. This would not be so bad, but when planning to compete with one of the most successful smartphones on the market – the iPhone, you must offer something that is at least equal in value. If Nokia has managed, or not, to do so with the N97, we will see this in the next Nokia N97 review, so read and then judge.

Nokia N97 was announced in November 2008, but was not released on the market until June 2009, after nearly seven months. The smartphone is available in two classic colors: black and white.

The first time I saw the smartphone, the first HTC Pocket PCs (launched somewhere in 2006), came to my mind. Of course, keeping it to a minimum scale, I had a strong feeling of déjà vu. The first thing that came to my mind is the word "heavy" and, yes, I am talking about the weight. The QWERTY keyboard certainly makes a major contribution to the weight of the smarpthone (150g including the battery), but also reinforces my feeling of déjà vu. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the new sliding mechanism the phone has. I am not that sure how durable it is, because we could not test the phone more than two weeks, but it seems unusually interesting.

Once you slide the phone, the screen becomes almost perpendicular on the keyboard, making it very easy to read it like a book. Nokia N97 does not have too many external buttons, just the usual buttons characteristic of any decent Nokia phone. The impressive 3.5 inches touch screen occupies almost the entire front side of the phone. In the top-left of the screen, there is a secondary camera for video calls, which is also used to take photos at a low resolution. On the right side, above the screen, you can see an ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor that closes the screen light when they detect that you put the phone near the ear. This function works perfectly, as long as you keep the phone glued to your ear.

At the bottom of the screen, there is a special metal key, placed diagonally, which opens the phone's main menu. There are also the usual Accept call and Reject call keys, both showing and operating as a touch key. On the left side of the device, there is a small microUSB port, which can also be used to charge the phone, in addition to the synchronization function. The right side of the phone has the volume key and a dedicated camera key, photo / video. The Start / Shut Down button has been placed, as usual, on top of the phone, along with the 3.5 mm jack. A plastic cover that can be pulled up or down, to open the camera interface, protects the 5 megapixel camera on the back of the phone.

The full QWERTY keyboard contains 33 keys and is very receptive. There is also a D-pad, which can be used to control the menu when you do not want to touch the screen. The sales package includes a stylus, which looks like a pencil. It can be attached to your phone with the help of a small cord, but I think that the most users will not use it. The backlighting of the keypad is equal throughout the surface and strong enough to provide a good experience even in dark conditions. The microSD memory slot was placed under the back cover. Fortunately, you will not have to remove the battery to insert the memory card. The sales package also contains a short adapter, which is very useful when you do not have a microUSB charger at hand. The adapter lets you use the normal Nokia charger instead of the new one, using the same microUSB port as the sync.

I was a little disappointed by the cheap look of the plastic used for the front side of the phone. Moreover, the backside of the phone is made from a shiny and well polished plastic, so it feels very good to the touch and does not fill with fingerprints. Even if it is not the most fortunate choice, I think a phone of this size (117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 mm) made entirely of metal would have weighed too much. In conclusion, the Nokia N97 strikingly resembles on design with the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, but comes with some new things as the full QWERTY keyboard, an excellent slide mechanism and a larger screen. The phone seems to have a solid construction, even if it is made entirely of plastic. However, I had doubts about the sliding mechanism. While it is spectacular and very useful, I am not sure how long will it resist.

Nokia N97 has an impressive 3.5 inch resistive touch screen, which can also be controlled with the stylus that comes in the sales package. In fact, because of the technology used, the resistive touch screen must be pressed a little more than the capacitive one, making it a little weak in terms of sensitivity. On the other hand, you can control the device using any object you have in mind. This cannot be achieved with the capacitive touch screens that can be controlled only with the finger. However, the colors, the brightness and the contrast displayed are amazing. The same thing is true with the visibility in sunlight, which is even better than the 5800 Xpress Music model.

The screen size and the fact that it has a stylus, make N97 a better product than its brother, 5800, when it comes at terms of control. Do not be too happy, however, from Nokia N97 and to the iPhone is still a long way in terms of graphical interface and the easiness with which is controlled. Specifically, Nokia N97 suffers from a hard control when you use only the finger, and this is not good for users who hate to carry with them a stylus all the time. The accelerometer works perfectly and provides enjoyment especially when it is used for games.

You can try and compare those two phones (N97 and 5800 Xpress Music) as long as you want, but I think that you will come to the same conclusion as I did in this Nokia N97 review. Therefore, except the sliding keyboard mechanism and the larger screen it is practically the same phone.