The Built:

When I first felt the device in my hand, it felt super nice. The device gives you a very solid feel. If one is not aware that the n97 packs a slide-out QWERTY you cant tell, it is that solid and well built. The metal strip that runs all around the device adds to the quality and gives the device a very sophisticated and classy look. I still haven’t been able to get my hands on the white n97 but I am sure the white would go down in front of the black (and i thought I loved white phones). The one annoying thing is the back cover. It is plastic, i don’t mind the plastic but what I mind is when you open the cover it is scary. You actually have to force it open and same is with closing it. Nokia has again done well by giving a cover for the camera it not only protects the lens but also adds to the aesthetics of the device.

Coming to the slide-out QWERTY keypad i am super impressed. It is perfect Nokia has given a few lessons to all the manufacturers of slide phones. It is that good no creaks, no noise and it is amazingly smooth. I am totally in love with it.

The Touch experience:

The touch experience is amazing. I know all of u must be wondering that its the same as the 5800 but I personally feel Nokia has worked on the touch and has improved on it. I am personally a big fan of the hepatic feedback and love the fact that it has been improved a little from the 5800. All is not good but, the hepatic feedback sometimes refuses to function and you find yourself missing the vibration ( can be device centric so do not panic ). I hope Nokia fixes this problem with the firmware upgrade.

The Keypad:

I have already told you guys about my love for the sliding QWERTY keypad but I am not impressed by its functionality. The keys are nice and big and you get used to them in a few hours (constant usage i mean can be more for the average or below average user). But and i must say there are two big BUTS one is the placement of the Enter and the Backspace, I still haven’t got used to the placement. The second is the numerical keys, Why has not Nokia provided for long press of the keys two provide for the numerical keys. It can become cumbersome and actually quite irritating when you have to press the function key every time you need to use a number key. I am hoping the 2nd issue will be solved with a firmware upgrade. I am aware the 1st problem cant be removed but I had to put forward my grievance.

The Music:

I am not mighty impressed with the quality of music that the N97 has to offer. It is similar to the quality of the music provided by the 5800. I know some people feel that the quality of the music provided my the 5800 is quite impressive, but not me when you are spending Rs 30,000 on the device you better be provided with top of the line. I hope Nokia is listening. With regard to the earphones I am happy with the quality of the headphones (could have been better). Owing to the fact that the N-series is primarily a entertainment device, Nokia should have done much better.

The Camera:

The Camera is the standard Carl Zeiss Lens 5 MP which is nice and I am happy with it but why Nokia hasn’t given along with it Xenon flash is beyond my understanding. The N82 showed to us the Xenon flash improves the quality of the picture taken and I wish Nokia had given that aswell.

I know I am a demanding user but I believe that when you are required to shell out astronomical sums for a mobile phone you should be given nothing but the best.

I am done with the 1st of the many posts you will see me writing about the N97. My next post will cover the WIDGETS in specific and other aspects of the device which make it a WINNER.

Please leave in your comments if you want anything specifically covered.

Ciao

Click Here to pre book Nokia N97.

Nokia N97 India Page

Making Of Nokia N97

Nokia N97 (Prototype) Screenshots

Planned Market Introduction
1st half 2009
Category
Explore

Technical Profile
System:
WCDMA 900/1900/2100 (HSDPA), EGSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz User

Interface:
S60 5th EditionDimensions:117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 mm*mm (L x W x H) *18.25 mm at camera area

Weight:
Approx. 150 gDisplay:3.5 inch TFT with up to 16 million colorsnHD16:9 widescreen (640×360 pixels)

Battery:
Nokia Battery BP-4L, 1500 mAh

Media
Memory:
Up to 48GB (32 GB on-board memory,plus 16GB expansion via microSDmemory card slot)

Video playback:
MPEG-4 / SP and MPEG-4 AVC/H.264,up to 30 fps, up to VGA resolution RealVideoup to QCIF @ 30 fps Windows Media (WMV9) up to CIF @ 30 fpsFlash Lite 3.0 / Flash Video in internet browser

Music playback:
MP3, AAC, eAAC, eAAC+, WMA

Main Camera
Lens:
Carl ZeissTessar™Image capture:Up to 5 megapixels (2584 x 1938) JPEG/EXIF (16.7 million/24-bit color)

Video capture:
MPEG-4 VGA (640 x 480) at up to 30 fps

Aperture:
F2.8Focal length:5.4 mm

Flash:
Dual LED camera flash and video light

Operating Times
Talk time:Up to 320 min (3G), 400 min (GSM)
Standby time:Up to 400 hrs (3G), 430 hrs (GSM)
Video playback:Up to 4,5 hours (offline mode)
Music playback:Up to 37 hours (offline mode)

Connectivity & Data Services
•WLAN IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP support
•Micro-USB connector, Hi-Speed USB 2.0
•3.5mm stereo headphone plug and TV-out support (PAL/NTSC)
•Bluetooth wireless technology 2.0 with A2DP stereo audio, enhanced data rates (EDR)
•GPS receiver with support for assisted GPS (A-GPS)

Internet
•Easy and fast connections to internet services
•Easy text input with QWERTY keyboard and touch screen
•3.5 inch sliding tilt display
•Live personalized home screen with widgets
•Up-to-date information via RSS feed•Fully compatible with Oviservices
•Browse real web pages
•Take pictures and videos and share them immediately

Video and TV
•Watch high-quality video on the large 3.5 inch 16:9 widescreen
•Video playback at 30 fps, for a wide array of formats
•Play videos, music and pictures on TV using TV-out
•Access internet video feeds through Nokia Video Center

Music
•Enjoy great audio through standard 3.5 mm jack headphones, built-in stereo speakers or Bluetooth technology
•Digital music player with support for playlist editing, equalizer and categorized access to your music collection
•Search, browse and purchase songs online in Nokia Music Store (for availability, please visit www.music.nokia.com)

Maps and Navigation
•Nokia Maps with integrated compass and A-GPS receiver
•Multimedia city guides and navigation services.
Drive: voice guided car navigation, or Walk: pedestrian-optimized turn-by-turn guidance. (Navigation may need to be purchased separately.)
Games
•World-class game titles with N-Gage

Expected Cost is around 550 Euros or Rs 35,000/-

Note: Some Features and services may be offered as upgrade or for purchase