Nokia N97 first hand review

Axel from blog-n97.fr contacted me yesterday to let me know he'd finished his review on the N97. Though it's in French, but he's given me permission to translate it fully in to English, so here it is.

Introduction

The N97 that I had the chance to test is still in Beta, the firmware is not a production version. I'm sure the bugs and any slow downs will be resolved before the final release. WiFi used was not very good quality (relatively low signal).

When I filmed this test (excluding applications), it was about 6 am after a short night, so I may sound a little bored, but I was just tired! though very excited to test out the beast. Normally I'd use a tripod for the filming, but it was too heavy to take to the hotel.

This is obviously a white Nokia N97.

Unpacking and contents of the box

N97 The box is black with a matt finish, it's rather nice. The top of the box shows the name of the phone "Nokia N97" written in silver and an embossed drawing of N97. The side of the box also has silver writing. Overall the box has a very high end feel.

Upon opening the box, the phone is presented at the top, in a black plastic tray and comes with a stylus type "USB key" (though smaller) which is very practical.

Contents of the box:

• Classic Nokia Hands-free
• USB / Micro-USB Cable
• Charger AC-10E micro-USB
• Charger adapter micro USB to Nokia classic charger
• Standard Nokia headset
• Cleaning cloth
• CD containing Ovi Suite Package
• User Manual
• No TV cable, we will verify that.

Menu, Messages and Calendar

Pressing the "menu" takes you to the main menu, it displays the same icons as 5800 by default, the new icons from Nokia which are quite beautiful, I think. You see the calendar, contacts, music, web browser, messaging, photos, Ovi Store (shop), Nokia Maps (Maps), videos and TV settings, games and applications.

In options, you always show open applications above and then display list (see the menu items in a list rather than grid view by default), Organize (to move the icons in the manner of HomeScreen, very practical and intuitive), Help, and Exit (exit takes you to the home page).

The agenda is more conventional but very handy on the big screen of the N97, you have several displays, by month, week or day (accessed through the icons below). Entering an appointment or task is very fast with the physical keyboard and quick access.

Messaging is very much like the 5800, New Message, Inbox, e-mail (you must configure an e-mail), Sent Mail, Drafts, Outbox, Delivery and My Folders. The interest lies in patterns of attachment to post a message: alphanumeric keyboard (tactile), handwriting (well run) and, of course, the physical QWERTY keyboard.

In general, the scroll in the menus can be done in two ways: by using the scroll bar on the side or by touching an item in the list and dragging it down. The scroll bar works well, though isn't exceptional and we would have liked to see the kinetic scrolling (like on an iPhone or Android).

Last, in some menus you just touch it once to open the option, sometimes twice. There are several reasons, sometimes you need to select files or elements (for example in the photo gallery), where double-clicking. In addition, this feature is inherent in Symbian 5th edition. However sometimes the lack of logic in this system, where it is sometimes double-clicking in lists where a single click would have been possible (music for example, to browse through artists, etc.). Some people think that double-clicking allows scrolling by touching icons but scrolling mode is already present in the menus of applications (for example) but is simple click.

Photo & Video

Taking a photo is very simple, you can either open the camera cover which turns the camera on, or you can press and hold the camera button. The shutter speed is very fast and the pictures are of good quality with its Carl Zeiss optics. There are lots of options presented on the screen just to adjust your shot (zoom, flash, macro, white settings, etc).

Once the photo taken, you can easily share via MMS, e-mail, bluetooth and the sharing tools online available (Flickr, Ovi and other services).

Navigation in the photos is quick and makes use of the accelerometer. To move from one image to another, a flick of the finger to the right or left to zoom in double-tap the screen or use the zoom bar on the left side of the screen.

To take a video, it is the same process except that you select "Video mode" in the application. To start shooting, you have to press the red button "record". The N97 records in 16:9, which is simply brilliant. The large screen provides a perfect view. Contrary to what is said in the video, you can shoot with the LED on, simply select the "bulb" before filming.

Web Browser

Web browsing on the N97 is enjoyable thanks to the big 3.5" screen. The browser supports scroll kinetics (taking into account the strength of the scroll) and responds quickly. In the video you'll notice that youtube does not yet work, do not worry, on my E71 and N95 Youtube in desktop mode works perfectly, imagine how awesome it will be on the big N97 screen. The N97 supports flash, it is expected, just not fully implemented in the version I tested.

On the right of the browser you have several options, the first icon on the right (3 lines) opens a shortcuts window, very practical. The second icon allows you to change the site by entering a new web address, then just zoom (via a small bar and - you can also zoom in / zoom out by double-tapping the screen). The last option is ... "options" to display all available options (the button shortcuts presents the main functions of the menu) including the search in the page or viewing options.

The N97's web browser also includes a RSS reader.

Music Player

Video and music are a strong point of the N97. Why? Massive 32GB storage, 3.5" jack and nice music player!

With 32GB (expandable via Micro SD, upto 48gb) about 420 albums. A good package of music! The 3.5mm jack lets you connect your favorite headphones.

The music players simple yet effective. The tracks are sorted in different ways, Artists, Albums, Playlists, All songs, Podcasts, Genres and Composers. If the song has album art, it will be displayed in the list as as well as the playback view, big buttons let you move forward / backward and play / pause. You can adjust the volume with the volume buttons on the side of the device.

The menu "options" in the drive provides access to playback modes (random, etc.), the FM transmitter (the magic that allows you to send your music to car radio or any other radio in fact), EQ (pre-defined modes) , parameters, options to manage the playlist and use the track ring.

Nokia Maps

It's difficult to test the maps locked in a room. But I was able to manipulate the interface in its non-final form and here is what I think.

Nokia Maps load quickly, very quickly, which is really great because it's been a negative aspect to this application. The maps are beautiful and accurate! In my version, the finger scrolling is really slow, I guess this problem will be corrected quickly and knowing Nokia!

The red button on the top right of the map allows you to focus on its position in the video button does not work because I was not LBS.

All the interface is controlled via the touchscreen, you can search directly by selecting the "zoom" and using the zoom bar + / - to the left of the screen. In the options you can change the mode of the map (map, satellite and ground, which shows the terrain, not visible in the video because I'm in a town!) Favorites (to launch quickly navigate to your usual places), the history, traffic information (practice), tools (to connect to the network, move the map in 3D mode (not bad), deactivating the positioning, turn off the compass (on the phone to always show the true north), take a screenshot, settings), dash, shop, and licenses (to purchase licenses if yours is expired) ...

Expect a much more comprehensive test right out of the beast!

Ovi Store

The Ovi application of the N97 is great. Objectively, I believe that the application is very high quality and has enormous potential. Let me explain.

In my view, the potential for a smartphone today is largely in the applications and possibilities that are offered by the device. A good OS with good hardware will make a good phone. A good OS with good hardware and applications accessible easily and quickly, provides an excellent smartphone. Just look at Apples iPhone.

Nokia has a huge challenge: to distinguish it from the app store by apple, or at least get to the same level.

Entering the heart of the Ovi N97 Store (called "Store" in the icons) will start quickly, you can browse the catalog without having an account but it is essential to have an Ovi account to download software. The software is classified under several classes available at the top of the screen: Suggestions (recommanded, depending on the products you have already downloaded, Ovi Store offers products that may interest you), Personalization (wallpapers, ringtones , etc.), Audio & Video (trailers, various videos, pay-series (speed racer in several episodes in the video), sounds ...), Games and Applications.

When you're connected and you open a book, you can download the product, send the page to a friend, check the rating and description, write a review and read the opinions of others.

If you click on download to download the file directly. During the download you can continue browsing in the store (or do something else with Ovi Store in the background). Once the download is complete, the application offers a menu based on the product downloaded: set as wallpaper (for a screen), set in tone (for ringtones), watch / listen ( for sounds and movies) and install (for applications and games) during installation you can continue to navigate the application. The installation is complete, you can even launch it from the Store.

Video and TV

It is difficult for me to talk about the "TV" of N97, as I could not test this feature and will therefore not dwell on the phone's video player.

With 32GB of memory you can store about 45 movies (at a rate of 700MB per movie), 5 full seasons of your favorite shows. The battery should last about 4.5 hours with continuous video playback. Which is great for a phone.

The 16:9 screen makes video playback a pleasure. Then of course you have the 40 degree hinge which further enhances the viewing.

Navigation in a video file is done directly with your finger on the touch screen with a progress bar playback, to pause or manage the same thing (for the volume you can also use the buttons) .

The N97 can also configure the video stream, to view podcasts mobility for example.

Games

The N97 is also an interesting device for games. Its design allows you to play with either the touchscreen or with the arrows on the left side of the QWERTY.

The Ngage application is not installed by default but you can download it. Otherwise, to play, download games on Ovi Store, the catalog is still small at the moment but will grow quickly!

I tested a pre-installed, game Guitar Rock Tour, Guitar Hero. For those not familiar with the concept, it's a game of rhythm and speed, tapping the notes at the correct time. Very cool and popular game.

Applications

This is where it becomes both complex and interesting. There are many applications pre-installed in the N97, namely (some phone functions, others are third party applications):

• Notes
• Clock (with a widget)
• Camera
• Office (allows you to edit and create Word, Excel and Powerpoint)
• Search function
• Online sharing (to share your files across multiple platforms, including very practical coupled to the camera to quickly share your photos on Flickr for example) (has a widget)
• Recorder (dictaphone)
• Help
• Real Player
• Location (GPS gives ccordonnées)
• My Nokia (requires account)
• "Welcome"
• Update
• Message Reader
• Call Log
• Configuration Wizard
• Podcasting
• Access configuration
• About
• Download
• Draw (quite nice, even to the finger!)
• FM transmitter (transmit audio via the phone's FM on a car for example) (has a widget)
• Joiku Spot (turn your phone 3G WiFi terminal, attention to outside package)
• "Traveler"
• Youtube
• AccuWeather (has a widget)
• Amazon (with a widget)
• Associated Press News (with a widget)
• Bloomberg (has a widget)
• Facebook (with a widget)
• Hi5 (has a widget)
• Reuters Slideshow (has a widget)
• Boingo (WiFi utility)
• QIK (Live broadcast what you shoot)
• Guitar Rock Tour (games are also displayed here)
• Out of the phone or when we have tested for a longer period and final version, we will complete testing of each application.

It's quite strange that in "Applications", "Camera" is present but not "Ovi Store, which is itself an application. In all cases, you can move icons and save an application that you like especially in the first screen menu or the shortcuts in Quick's homepage!

Conclusion

How are we already at the conclusion?. Rest assured: this test is only the beginning of a long series of more thorough testing of the N97, when we have a final version in hand, we will make detailed tests of each party, pushing the N97 to its limits.

In the present state of things, namely to have tested a non-final version of the N97, please see the table below with the positive and negative points of the phone.