Nokia N97 verdict: Too much money for what it offers!
By Dusan Belic on Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 at 1:48 AM PST In Devices, NSeries, Nokia, Reviews, Symbian
I’ve waited with this article for quite some time now, trying to find good arguments to suggest our readers to go on and grab the N97, but honestly I couldn’t. Again, this is not to say the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N97 is a bad device – it’s just too expensive for what it offers.
Sure there’s 32GB of built-in storage, but I’m sure people would appreciate more the 4GB version for 200 bucks/euros/pounds less. Unfortunately, that kind of N97 doesn’t exist.
Plus and again unfortunately, that’s not the only bad thing about the N97, as I pointed in my previous article. That keyboard, slow CPU/insufficient RAM, plus the user interface are the main points for NOT buying the device. Keyboard especially, since we all know Nokia knows how to make decent keyboards from their other models such as the E75, E90, E71, and so on. On the same note, from the leaked photos of the so called N97 mini, we see it will come with similar keys which is a bad thing. Waiting for the first Maemo phone is all that high-end Nokia handset users can do at this stage, or at least that’s my take.
Anyway, the summary is – don’t buy the N97! It has all the bells and whistles of the high-end device (GPS, WiFi, compass, 5 megapixel camera, etc), but all that could be made to work in a much better way. Replacing a CPU is one thing that could make a huge difference and make the device respond much faster — but that would kill the margins. This way, Nokia kills its fans, which is a sad thing. Hopefully, the upcoming N900 Rover will be a completely different story — can’t wait to give it a try. 
Couldn’t agree more!
Totally agree. Having trialled one for a couple of months – it’s a really good phone, does what you NEED it to do. It just doesn’t justify the price it’s at.
The 5800 wasn’t technically “all that” but it was really good value. Not necessarily cheap, but well priced for what it offered.
Having said that, I bought one on Monday. Out of the box, the N97 is kinda pants – but a few customizations, some of my fav apps and it’s a really good all rounder phone (just wish it was a bit cheaper). I kinda hope the Rover doesn’t come this side of 09 – just cos I don’t want to getting another phone within 4 months.
Nokia N97 is a complete handset with latest technology and more advanced features… i ll definitely purchase this handset
i agree. this phone is a flagship but the OS kill your enthusiasm to use it! too slow, too buggy, outdated. this phone has been waited as a Jesus be it is not.
Congratulations to tell the truth about this phone and to be not afraid about nokia fans or the manufacturer’s reaction.
(i have it)
people help buy it or buy iphone 3g help
Whilst I agree this is a dog of a flagship, Im not sure its too expensive when sold subsidised compared to other high end phones.
I’m agreed with all the way, because I’m own one. I whish everything be better.
The N97 definitely isn’t a perfect device. All those problems you mentioned are real and I’d add a few more like the low space in phone memory (not RAM but the C:) and the lens scratching lens cover.
But I disagree when you say it’s too much money for what it offers. You have to keep things in perspective. An unlocked N97 can be had in the US for around US$500. Imagine having a 32Gb portable media player (and internet tablet), a low end point&shoot, a low end video recorder and a phone. If you had 4 different devices you’d spend a lot more than 500 dollars!
The N97 doesn’t execute any of those functions perfectly but it does a more than reasonable job in all of them. 500 bucks very well spent!
I have now had N97 for one month, and I love the phone. I use it every day for several hours, mostly for web surfing. I think N97 is well worth its price. If the upcoming Maemo device is even better, that is even better.
I find N97 very responsive, except when the web browser is doing some heavy processing. The keyboard is ok, though it could be made better by increasing the key click travel distance. N97 is not buggy. I have encountered only one total freeze of the phone. The familiar N series user interface is easy for users of older Nokia phones. The operating system, S60 is multitasking, a feature that is missing from iPhone, for example.
@sjhong
Nokiausa.com sells the N97 for $629, while Amazon asks “only” $599. It’s super expensive.
I can’t wait for this piece of art to come out! I’ve specifically installed Linux on one of my machines to familiarise myself with the capabilities.
i got the n97 yesterday and so far its good, still trying to get the hang of the touch screen, but its not too hard to use.
i dont need a phone that will do everything perectly, this phone has what i want, phone, net, camera, music + more.
the little features on it are really good.
so far this phone has a thumbs up from me.
Lmfao. U call this a review? This couldn’t even a make a column anywhere. This is not a review, this is a rant dissing the N97 (u an iPhone user by chance?), and while it does mention a few defects, the fact that the keyboard is mentioned as such too, makes it evident that u never spent even an hr with the N97.
Brutally honest, my ass. Brutally incompetent and baseless, more like it.
nokia n97 has by far the worst user interface ever found in a touch-screen phone in the last 1-2 years..n if you like it’s interface…then surely you hv never used any proper touch phone before ….
n if this is the best nokia could offer as its flagship device (and of course to compete with the iphone)….. then there’s something seriously wrong…..either apple is too far ahead in time…or the other companies are too far behind…