Nokia N97 mini review: Less is more

12 November 2009
The Nokia army of touchscreen smartphones gets larger by the hour and the Nokia N97 mini is surely one of the most interesting new recruits. The Finnish company has obviously reconsidered its priories and now focuses on optimization, rather than expansion with its flagships...

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 2Zu
  • 21 Nov 2009

Anonymous, 19 Nov 2009Why can`t Nokia make a "all-black" N97 mini phone? Do they ... moreTotally agree with you. A "all-black" N97 mini would be the best. I reckon that the "all-black" N97 looked awesome.

    • T
    • Tom Rees
    • M3n
    • 20 Nov 2009

    ham, 15 Nov 2009hi there. I need some advice from the person who has this ... moreI've had this phone for 2 weeks now, and I love it. The interface works fine. OK, it's not as snappy as the iphone, but it gets the job done. And that's the only criticism!

    Everything does what it's supposed to, on a tiny and very pocketable phone (being narrower than an iphone makes a big difference when you try to get it into your pocket). The keyboard is very nice to use, and makes a huge difference if you write texts or emails (or add comments to web pages...). Thank god I don't have to use a virtual keyboard any more!

    GPS and maps works well. Facebook and the other apps work. Email is beautiful (I use HTML google mail). Camera's reasonable for a phone cam. Video focus is locked at infinity though :(

    Bottom line, choose this phone if you want something compact and functional.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • IaE
      • 19 Nov 2009

      Why can`t Nokia make a "all-black" N97 mini phone? Do they have anything against beauty?

        • F
        • Fil
        • 2Z0
        • 17 Nov 2009

        Dilmeet, 17 Nov 2009Just two small Questions Nokia: 1) If this device was to... moreNice Thoughts... I agree with you

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • PEH
          • 17 Nov 2009

          Dilmeet, 17 Nov 2009Just two small Questions Nokia: 1) If this device was to... morewhy not post this on nokia website?

            • D
            • Dilmeet
            • vG2
            • 17 Nov 2009

            Just two small Questions Nokia:

            1) If this device was to bridge the Gap between N97 Flagship and 5800 XM then who was so innovative for the price tag firstly??? Are you really serious to sell this capable and good device at the current price??

            2) Hope you remember that 5800 started it all with the 9.4 OS so would you care for all the owners and spare some time to iron out the OS bugs and make it competative enough to atleast make its presence felt among much better and updated OS of competition?? iPhone OS being the benchmark, Windows Mobile with the new 6.5.1, Andriod all are still beyond your reach for now.

            Never expected Nokia to become so frustrating day by day month by month year by year. Gone are the good old days when the firmware updates were least required and they only added stuff and never were needed to fix bugs after the phones were available officially but now!!!! God save Nokia from their Self Destruct!! Such a good device but facing uncertain future thanks to your pricing and OS. Die like SE or better still wake up to competition..........its a long road ahead but easily achievable only if Nokia can spare a thought to what they are doing now!!! Even SE have woken up!!!

              • R
              • Ryan
              • R4Y
              • 16 Nov 2009

              Just wondering if anyone knows if this phone will be compatible with Mac's OSX. I want to get either the N97 or the mini but won't untill i know it can be used with Mac's?

              Thanks

                • a
                • aars
                • SXw
                • 16 Nov 2009

                so why they released that maxi model nonsens?

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • Uij
                  • 16 Nov 2009

                  wow Nokia wow, i'm shaking down to my core

                  the N97....

                  let me tell you my story about nokias greatest flagship;

                  my friend got the N97 mini, it was a great moment filled with memories and joy.. he played around and discovered theres no on screen keyboard.. he started to panic i was dude just hit that button with lines there is a on screen keyboard in s60 5th..

                  it wasn't there..

                  i started to laugh and could't stop for half an hour.. hahahaha

                  theres a onscreen keyboard on every S60 5th; 5800, 5530, 5230 hell the X6 probably has it

                  every s60 5th EXCEPT for the most expensive one.. the N97 hahahahah

                  amazing..

                  they actually took out a feature

                  Hey Nokia! i'm a fan

                    • p
                    • phone mania
                    • 0U6
                    • 16 Nov 2009

                    competition has 12mpx cameras and they all left at 5mp.reast in peace nokia

                      • a
                      • adi timisoara
                      • 0U6
                      • 16 Nov 2009

                      I need a phone that make good pictures.for what I bought omnia HD.from N 95 nokia has the same outdated camera .Their technology is obsolete.becomes a simple phone.we need a gadget not the same phone with some updates

                        • h
                        • ham
                        • 3Iv
                        • 15 Nov 2009

                        hi there.
                        I need some advice from the person who has this phon(N97mini)....
                        Do u suggest me to buy it?dose it acceptable??
                        Do u happy to have it?
                        Is it a soccessful product??

                        thanks for ur help.
                        GOOD BY

                          • n
                          • nick
                          • nxw
                          • 15 Nov 2009

                          i get the feeling nokia are doing a bit of a charlton athletic

                          how the mighty fall...

                            • s
                            • suru
                            • 0U6
                            • 15 Nov 2009

                            I am glad that I sold the N97 and now with omnia HD I see all the movies in any format.reast in peace nokia

                              • c
                              • chris stoke
                              • nxU
                              • 15 Nov 2009

                              my n97 mini was useless, sent it back within 2 days,
                              had nothing stored in the phone at all,new sim + new 16gb memory card yet when i tried to enter my 1st phone number or take my first picture the phone froze up saying memory full despite no apps being run or anything being stored in the phone !!
                              rubbish, buy this phone and spend half your life moving files around and clearing the cache etc..
                              stick with my n95 for now thanks and wait another 6-12 months for somebody to get their finger out.
                              high expectations now deflated and n97 mini has left a sour nokia taste in my mouth

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • nXG
                                • 15 Nov 2009

                                Guys, if anyone from the reviewers can contact the Nokia's developers, please tell them that we really need the Full QWERTY touch keyboard in the next software update!! I already had my Nokia N97 mini, but I really disappointed about the keyboard,, I hope the software update is coming sooooooon...

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • Uij
                                  • 15 Nov 2009

                                  sealing the deal with blood nokia,

                                  amazing, the N97 mini.. as if the N97 wasn't pushing the threshold far enough... but the mini is now hear.

                                  congrats nokia, i wish you the best after death may the transition be fast, but than again noone knows how to fall like you guys do.

                                    • F
                                    • Fuseburner
                                    • M{3
                                    • 15 Nov 2009

                                    Disappointing review, as N97 owner - and hater- i see that ppl are @ gsmarena are giving points for the devise for being similar to the N97, which in reality is a shameful peice of hardware. Not recommended.

                                      • D
                                      • Disappointed
                                      • q}}
                                      • 15 Nov 2009

                                      I think Nokia has been resting on its laurels for too long. The competition has far surpassed it on the software level.

                                        • s
                                        • smileman
                                        • UDL
                                        • 15 Nov 2009

                                        i want tap to focus !