The new Nokia N97 smart phone is one of the priciest mobile devices out there. It is so powerful that Nokia is not simply referring to it as a cell phone - or even a smart phone. No, they have deemed this new device to be a “mobile computer”. It’s packed with many advanced gadgets that James Bond himself would be happy to have, but despite the powerhouse of features, this phone isn’t marketed as an “amazing touchscreen device” (though the touchscreen does work just fine).
It seems that touchscreen smart phones are the current trend right now. Ever since Apple, the trend setters of technology, came out with the iPhone, almost every single mainstream phone has had a direct knock-off of Apple’s design. Well, Nokia most definitely isn’t jumping on this bandwagon. Though their phone does pack many of the same features as the iPhone, and does incorporate a touchscreen, it also has a full pull-out QWERTY keyboard, and is not taking on the same marketing method that its competitors are.
The Nokia N97 is simply the newest phone in their line of products based on the S60 platform. The 3.5 inch touchscreen display offers digital real estate never before seen on a cell phone. The resolution is 640 by 360 pixels, which is close to the resolution many full sized desktop computers were offering 10 years ago. This makes web browsing with its built-in, unrestricted web browser a breeze. Integrated social networking utilities update your MySpace and Facebook information right from the main page.
You’re not restricted to simply viewing mobile websites. The fully functional integrated web browser can view practically any website that a desktop computer could, since it IS the same type of browser used on full sized computers. The Nokia N97 has so much power that it can render sites and individual pages quicker than any other smart phone. Combine this with 3G connectivity, and you have pretty much died and gone to heaven.
A full web browser isn’t the only notable software the Nokia N97 comes with. Nokia Maps is included as well, which gives you access to national and local maps whenever you need them. The Nokia N97 also has a widgets system with many applications to choose from.
The Nokia N97 is not unusually large, small, or out of the ordinary in the way of dimensions. As a phone with a sliding keyboard, it is a little thicker than phones that do not have a physical keyboard - but it is directly comparable to the thickness of phones of the same type. It is just under 16 mm thick for the most part, to give you an idea of how this phone would feel in your pocket. In addition to this thickness, the camera area will jut out another 2 mm or so. In your hand, the phone feels very well balanced, and does not seem too large or small in any way. While it may not be the most comfortable phone to carry around in your pocket all day due to the thickness, that is about the only gripe one could come up with as far as size is concerned.
The target market for this phone is definitely the younger crowd who want a modern, powerful phone but prefer features and capability to trendiness and brand name wow-factor. Due to the unique powerful characteristics and the sky-high asking price, anyone who buys this phones has to be into gadgets, phones, or simply be someone who loves having the latest and greatest.
Now that we have covered some of the best details about the Nokia N97, it’s time to take a look at what you’ve all been waiting for. The Apple iPhone is the current undisputed king-of-the-hill when it comes to smart phones, and every phone of this kind has been compared to it at one point or another.
Let’s start off with first impressions. At first glance, the phones are physically pretty similar. The iPhone has a more recognizable design, but not necessarily a better looking one. The Nokia N97 looks sleek and powerful, and has that real “super-powerful gadget feel”.
Speaking of super powers, let’s discuss price that soars sky-high. This is where the iPhone will immediately take the lead. The Nokia N97 is perhaps the most expensive mainstream smart phone available, with a tag of around $700 without a contract discount. Even with a contract price, the total only drops a little bit, leaving it hundreds of dollars behind the iPhone’s reasonable rate.
The next category is where the Nokia N97 jumps ahead: Physical features. The iPhone comes in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB models, and does not offer a slot for memory cards. The Nokia N97, on the other hand, does stay true to it’s name of a “mobile computer”. The internal memory is 32GB, and that comes standard on the phone - there is no sub-model that offers less storage. In addition to the internal space, expandable memory card slots can hold data cards of up to 16GB in size, to store music, photos, or videos. That’s a total storage limit of 48GB, which blows any other device clean out of the water.
Another technical advantage the Nokia N97 has over the iPhone is the ability to display Flash files and the Flash-based videos that power sites such as YouTube. This is one of the iPhone’s biggest weaknesses. While it can play YouTube videos using its integrated player, no other flash files can be used.
Internally, the Nokia N97 has build in Bluetooth connectivity, which the iPhone lacks. It also comes with a built in GPS system, which only newer versions of the iPhone are equipped with. They both have built in wi-fi for high-speed use at home or any hot-spot. Overall, the Nokia N97 is a more powerful than the iPhone - but the price tag is nearly three times as much when comparing post-service contract pricing.
It is hard to give a complete review without the phone being officially released yet. So far, it looks to be a promising alternative to many of the mainstream phones - just so long as you have a pocketbook thick enough to absorb all the dollar signs.
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