Head To Head Review: Touch Pro 2 Versus Nokia N97
By Simon Sage on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 4:39 PM PST In Devices, HTC, Haptic feedback, Hottest Hardware, NSeries, New Hardware, Nokia, Reviews, Rumors, Symbian, Windows Mobile
It’s “Fight Night” at the IntoMobile Mobile Battle Arena! The two enterprise smartphone heavyweights from Taiwan and Finland are going head-to-head in a battle for smartphone supremacy. Will the HTC Touch Pro2 “The 1-2-3 From HTC” manage to knock out the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N97 “The Finn-isher”? It’s going to be a close fight. Let’s take a look at our two smartphone contenders!
The HTC Touch Pro2 takes its new place at the top of HTC’s Windows Mobile smartphone portfolio. The Touch Pro2 basically takes the original HTC Touch Pro’s recipe for a true business-class Windows Mobile smartphone and spices it up with an extra helping of processing power and a much larger touchscreen display. As the baddest WinMo handset in the Taiwanese smartphone maker’s stable, HTC blessed the Touch Pro2 with all the latest and greatest smartphone features on the market. It’s got a class-leading 3.6-inch WVGA (800×480) resistive touchscreen display, 3.2-megapixel camera, 3G data connection (HSPA), WiFi, GPS, a Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM) MSM7200A 528 MHz CPU, and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard – ensuring the HTC Touch Pro2 comes ready to play with in the big leagues.
But, there’s always two sides to every story. On the one hand, we have the power-packed HTC Touch Pro2 aiming to take as much marketshare in the enterprise segment. On the other hand, we have Nokia looking to hold on to as much of its business customer-base with the power-packed Nokia N97. As an Nseries smartphone, you can bet your donkey that the N97 sports all the highest-tech features from the Espoo. Nokia has built a reputation for themselves with smartphones that boast some of the most-advanced hardware on the planet, and the Nokia N97 is no exception. Underneath the N97’s heavy-set exterior lies a 5-megapixel Carl Zeiss camera (with flash), 3G data connectivity, WiFi, GPS, 32GB of on-board storage, slide-n-tilt QWERTY keyboard and a speedy ARM11-based processor clocked at 434Mhz. And, the 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen display boasts near-HD resolutions, which makes for a dandy video-viewing experience. True to Nokia’s tradition, the Nokia N97 sets the standard for high-end smartphone feature-sets.
Both handsets offer comparable feature sets and don’t necessarily have any major usability issues. Both handsets feature slide-and-tilt touchscreens. Both smartphones have QWERTY keyboards. Both the HTC Touch Pro2 and Nokia N97 rock high-resolution displays paired to awkward mobile operating systems. We could keep going, but you get the picture.
So, which smartphone is the better choice? How does the HTC Touch Pro2 compare to the Nokia N97 in terms of a satisfying user experience? Watch the two smartphone heavyweights duke it out below!
Specifications (specs) - Decision: HTC
The HTC Touch Pro2 wins the first round of the heavyweight battle. The Nokia N97 bests the HTC Touch Pro when it comes to 3G connectivity options (tri-band vs. dual-band), camera (5MP Carl Zeiss vs. 3.2MP), and FM radio. But, when it comes to usable specs, the Touch Pro2 is the clear winner. With a faster processor, loads more RAM and ROM and a much higher-resolution display, the Pro2 is a better choice… even without a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Why the hell do you need so much RAM/ROM and a faster processor, when you can multitask smoothly on any S60 device? Is the extra RAM really necessary? Or is it purely for precautionary purposes? Faster processor? Just an illusion for faster speeds, period.
IMO, USABLE specs are the 3.5mm jack, the 32GB flash memory, better camera, FM transmitter, and PROBABLY USABLE SPECS IN THE CASE OF EXTREME POWER USERS WHO CLOG UP THEIR PHONE WITH 20 APPS AT THE SAME TIME HENCE REQUIRING MUCH MORE RAM are the extra RAM ROM and faster processor. Seriously, you CAN beef up performance of S60s through firmwares to free up more RAM and such, but you CANT replace the lack of 3.5mm jack, the camera etc.
Hence, fallacies on your part:
1. why the hell are UNNECESSARY extra RAM/ROM faster processor usable specs and why is the camera/3.5mm jack/3G bands not as important? (i.e. how did you set your criteria for usability of specs?)
2. the lack of RAM processor speed can be solved or at least eased with software upgrades, the lack of hardware features can never be solved without the introduction of the HTC Touch Pro III. (i.e. whether the lack of features can be eventually solved)
Please address the two points I have brought up.
Louis said: Why the hell do you need so much RAM/ROM?
Louis, any person with even a kindergarten computer intellect knows that you can never have enough “Ram/Rom”.
The newer apps eat up more and more resources.
It’s the “RAM/ROM” one of the many improvements over the TP1 (HTC Fuze) that makes the TP2 so very attractive.
IF AT&T had it’s version called the “Tilt2″ available now, I’d already have it. There’s nothing wrong with my HTC Fuze; BUT, it’s my shared belief that the HTC TP2 is the single best smart touch phone available anywhere in the world – bar none.
Shared belief with 13 Best Buiy & T-Mobile store managers.
I hope that your computer intellect and logic someday evolves beyond that of a nursary school level.
Me?
I have a doctorate in Cellular Terminology and Technology; so I have a tiny little bit of knowledge of the industry that I’ve been involved with, since before the FCC had issued a type approval for the cellular radio service.
Cliffy44
Either one has got a nerve calling itself a smartphone when neither has User Selectable Fonts. RIM set the store with smartphone and everyone has jumped at the idea leaving the most important feature out.
AFAIK, there definitely exists font changing applications for S60 V3, which would logically be ported to the fifth edition if they haven’t been done so already.
Louis, sure the N97’s performance can be improved by firmware updates, but so can the Touch Pro 2’s. On a relative basis, they cancel each other out since the same difference in ceilings exists.
No phone with Windows Mobile should win over Symbian (as bad as S60 is!). WiMo is just a horrible OS.
hy the hell do u talk all this sh*t??? i mean n97 belong to HIGHEND phones so if we use 20 apps at the same time is OK. u get it?
Why is the resistive screen a big drawback? The main reason that I haven’t chosen an iPhone or any of HTC (or Samsung)’s Android offerings is because of its capacitive screen. Granted, being Asian and requiring a stylus might have something to do with it, but have you even tried using those screens? It just feels so inaccurate using a capacitive touchscreen, especially when it comes down to texting, compared with using a Nokia 5800XM.
Oh, and please don’t forget to mention that WM mobiles are limited to 65K colour screens – I believe the Nokia screen displays 16M colours.
[...] IntoMobile has done the now classic face-off between these two smartphone titans again, and unsurprisingly, again came down on the side of the Nokia N97. [...]
great post, thank you
How can the lack of HARDWARE features on the Touch Pro 2 be improved on by firmware updates? Kind to enlighten me how a firmware update over the air can drill a 3.5mm jack on your dear HTC, or bring miracles to the tiny camera sensor? Firmware updates solve firmware problems (N97 have ‘em), they don’t solve hardware ones (Pro2 has them).
Your opinion. I like Winmo, it gives you options no other mobile OS gives you. I have big fingers but have no issues with any buttons at any level within touchflo/winmo standard. After 7 symbians the last being the N95 8GB i switched to an HTC Touch HD and never regretted it for a second. The 6.5 energyROM i run is lightening fast compared to the standard, so ROM updates can make a huge difference.
Louis, firmware certainly can’t change the jack or the camera, that’s why the N97 won the media category. Performance improvements will happen just as much on the Pro2 through firmware updates, however, so the performance gap between these two will remain.
afntay, handwriting support tends to be a dealbreaker when it comes to choosing between resistive and capacitive. Personally, I find having to use a stylus pretty awkward, especially when you’ve got a full keypad you’ll be using in between – a smart UI will be able to compensate for precision. Good call on the colours, though the Pro2 still wins out on resolution and a bunch of other hardware specs.
Really cool compare mate! But .. what about the FaceBook status in N97 screenshot? ahahah .. LOL!!!
Usable specs? Seriously? Hand in your mobile blogger card sir
I find this review quite… strange
Maybe it is there But I could not find info about 64 Gbytes memory available for applications on N97 (internal + card) which to me makes big difference
also comparison of UI is… strange
the system which has lags and delays and you have to constantly take out styllus… wins Vs, one that is just… not nice…
and the fact that “As long as you remember to close applications as you move from Google Maps to YouTube to your Twitter client” still does not prevent touch pro 2 to be a winner (imagine that on your PC you need to close an app to run the orther)
It looks like to me that reviewer just “slightly” unfamiliar with the UI on N97(i.e. asking about connections can be easily switch off in many if not in all applications) – so I advice to learn a bit more about reviewed device before start a review
ps. about the blackberry OS being so smart – before taking N97 into my hands I played with one of the new blackberry devices – I put it away after 5 minuts – it was so unintuitive and not “smart” at all Vs any Nokia N60 I had in my hand previously, so I changed to N97
Uh, Name, what do you now about blackberry in 5 minutes? About which two phone should be on top, well looks to me HTC Touch Pro 2 looks clear to me. Oh by the way I did this in l minute. Just because you own a Nokia doesn’t mean it better than….. Look at me I own a Storm and I love it, but the new HTC Touch Pro 2 came too late.
some additioal comments to this… strange review
how the hell the reviewer could give “hardwere” win to HTC when it is not powerful enough to run the system properly (delays and lags) “As long as you remember to close applications as you move from Google Maps to YouTube to your Twitter client”
evluation of hardware has only sens if you compare it with system requiurement and,in the end, user experience. HTC has just not enough power for the system while Nokia does
it is like saying that 700BHP heavy truck has better engine than Ferrari cos it has more power – what is inportant in not power but use of this power
and another fact about the reviw..
no mention of fabulous sound guality of attached headphones with remote control (by the way SIGNIFFICANTLY better than any walkmen, ipod, and i phone I have Used)
etc. etc…
This is either a very biast review or otherwise, just very poor. From the spec test the N97 should’ve clearly won hands down on “usable” specs. I refuse to believe that those who wrote this review has used any S60 Nokia in their lives long enough to say they are familiar with what it has to offer. The lack of multitasking on the HTC again having to close applications down before using the next?? The N97 allows clear multitasking and doesn’t slow the phone down dramatically. Poor poor review… I’m heading back over to allaboutsymbian.com
Seriously guys… and I suppose the Iphone 3GS is better than N97 because it has a virtual keyboard lol!
I’ve been using HTC for over 2 years and couldnt do without a slide out qwerty keyboard now, any app i’ve every wanted hasn’t been a problem finding for Windows Mobile. Before HTC I would only ever buy Nokia and now they have brought out the N97 I thought it was time to come back to them but i don’t think i can miss out on the Pro Touch 2.
If i was younger and used the phone for more music and video the N97 might be the way but to lose so many great apps just so i can be with the in crowd and have the sexy N97 i’m not gonna do it.
HTC is the only option and with T-Mobile UK not offering it at the moment it looks like i’m gonna have to knock them on the head after 18 years and move over to Vodafone!
I have just replaced my TytnII with the Touch Pro 2 – great device!! I also had a Nokia N95 but I was not satisfied with Symbian
As mentioned earlier in an another thread, the version of the TP2 that Telus will be receiving will included a 3.5mm headphones jack, which is craze news.
Nothing had been said about the US version, but it now seems that the devices to be sold trough carriers in the states will also get the version with the standard jack. That’s some crazy great news, and in my opinion is ample justification for having the TP2 released in North America a few months later than it was in Europe. Woot!
More at http://www.AllTouchPro2.com
I for one think this is a good review. I have been waiting for the TP2’s release since I first caught wind of it several months ago. For those of you whining about not being able to multitask on the WinMo platform, try it. I do it everyday on my my Touch Pro. I dont experience the crashing or lagging as described. And bitching because you have to close an app? You eventually need to close apps on every phone or you will run out of memory. Thats where the REAL “usable” specs come into play. Like faster processor and more RAM. Not a better camera and headphone jack. Remember, these are phones first. If I want to take some super high quality pics, ill use my digital camera because thats what its made to do. The WinMo platform is a bit old, I agree. But, there is still a LOT that it can do.
Louis- You sound like youre upset because your phone wasnt choosen as the winner. Get over it and grow up. If your phone suites your needs you should be happy. Choosing fonts a winning/required feature? Get real. By the way, my Sprint Touch Pro 2 will have a 3.5mm jack
Louis – “Why the hell do you need so much RAM/ROM and a faster processor, when you can multitask smoothly on any S60 device? Is the extra RAM really necessary? Or is it purely for precautionary purposes? Faster processor? Just an illusion for faster speeds, period.”
As an after thought, would you buy a computer that only has the minimum hardware to meet the minimum requirements of your programs? Doubtful. Same applies here.
Dont say that htc tp2 lacks a 3.5mm audio jack. A converter is more than enough!! u can keep it plugged in our headset. that is wht i do. And Win mo is more like a PC not a mobile. but symb. is more like an ordinary mobile. so winmo needs more powerful processor and ram and i have experienced with nokia already and planned not to buy nokia at any cost.
What would you buy a car with better speed or car with lower speed?
And user interface is unmatchable. Touch flo 3d is a generation ahead of nokia
upto how many mb expansion does the htc touchpro2 support ?
im usin an 8gb card at the moment..upto how many can i increase it WITHOUT affecting the phones performance ?
Come On. WHO KNOWS SYMBYAN OS? who knows windows OS? Most People Use windows… and windows mobile will get better on the version 7. and HTC and windows APPS …. tons and tons of apps for windows mobile… i dont See NADDA for SYmbian compared to windows…..touch pro all the way
U can extend upto 16gb without affecting the performance in HTC tytn 2 itself. So i think u can use 32 gb without any drop performance in your touch pro 2 i guess.(remember tytn2 was 2007 release it supports till 32gb and its running superbly with 16gb card and i didnt try 32gb )HTC miles ahead of Nokia(fact).
HTC for me but opinions are like ***holes…everyone have one and most stink…
Two questions, anyone can help ?
1. I have over 3k contacts on my e90 now (some with pictures) hanging once a day, is N97 or HTC P2 storing contacts on external memory ? If not which one will perform better ?
2. Video calls with Skype, would be supported earlier on P2 or N97…or N900 ?
I was a little disappointed at the review, personally. Nokia N97 is a great phone, it is currently in need of a few bug fixes from nokia, but they’ve already released news about a firmware 2.0 for the N97 due next month.
I can run more than 7 applications at the same time on the n97 without any of them slowing down on performance. The phone does great even with the little RAM that it has. The battery will last for two days with internet running all the time, and minimal calls, moderate use.
The keyboard was a disappointment initially, but I got over it in 2 days, and learned quickly enough to adapt to the layout of the keys. And I think, everyone will take a while to adapt to a new keyboard layout within a few uses, and that is not a reason to discredit a phone.
The phone responds quick to almost everything you expect from it, except for the occasional crashes. When setup properly, the N97 runs great. I am a sound engineer and musician, and the sound quality of the provided headphones are great, the usability is excellent, with the controls on the headset, etc.
The only drawback currently in my book for the N97 would be the lack of proper cut and paste support from the web browser. Nokia and Symbian are driving me nuts with that. I had the E90 prior to the N97 and same problem. Ridiculous!! And now Nokia’s picked up Maemo and Linux with the N900, no idea where they’re going with that. Are they going to drop Symbian??
One warning however, and this may go for all touchscreen phones. The N97 is useless without the touchscreen as in it won’t even answer a call, cos that’s touchscreen. Mine mysteriously broke even after being perfectly cared for. I noticed a very tiny crack under the screen, and I have no idea how it got there. So I don’t know about the build quality of the touchscreen on the Nokia N97, and this is not a comparison, however, this is something companies should think about with touchscreen phones. How do you make them strong, durable and able to withstand significant amounts of pressure?
Personally I wish phone companies would learn from the Apple example. Make one product, focus on making it perfect and keep it stable. This way app developers can continue making apps that will certainly be compatible. This also allows for good support, less confusion among users, and way less expense in terms of production.
Ram and faster processor is very important!!!! Louis what kind of idiot are you not wanting more!
I mean when look how Windows Vista takes advantage of way more Gigabytes of RAM!!!
I laugh at those people running Linux smoothly with terribly inferior processors and ram. My Vista uses 6Gb of ram currently and a quad core still is not as fast opening windows but I can always add more ram.
Leave the OP alone with his God given right to have more processor speed and ram with his Windows Mobile device.
Voleure