The Nokia N97 Mini takes everything we knew about the Nokia smartphone and packs it into a smaller and neater package. So, is it an also-ran or a cracking smartphone in its own right? Find out with our full Nokia N97 Mini review…
The Nokia N97 Mini shares the same starting point as the Nokia N97. It uses the Symbian S60 5th Edition operating system, has the same screen hinge you open with the keyguard and pop the screen to a 45-degre angle to review the full QWERTY keyboard.
However, the Nokia N97 Mini is very much a smartphone in its own right. Sure, it builds on the flaws of the Nokia N97 but it puts them right and then some.
For starters, the 3.2-inch screen isn’t a step down, as suddenly the Nokia N97 Mini fits neatly in the hand. It has the widescreen aspect ratio and 640 x 360-pixel resolution, so images really pop and look sharp on this handset.
The build quality of the Nokia N97 Mini has been ramped up too, making it feel solid in the hand. You’ll find this device is pretty much the same size as the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. However, with a metal trim and backplate, the tactile feel of the Nokia N97 Mini is amazing.
Getting to the QWERTY keyboard can be awkward as the keyguard is a little small and flush with the device but once you have the screen out of the way you’ll find that Nokia has reworked the keyboard.
The Nokia N97 Mini still uses the same individually mounted keys as on the Nokia N97 but the arrangement is far more natural and by getting rid of the D-Pad on the left-hand side you’ll find it easier to type.
When it comes to performance, the Nokia N97 Mini is quick and nibble. With 256MB of NAND memory, as opposed to the 128MB found in the Nokia N97, you’ll find that apps load and run a whole lot smoother and with the latest version of Symbian S60 onboard you’ll find this a stable platform to use.
Verdict
The Nokia N97 Mini packs in everything we expect from a high-end smartphone, 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS and a cracking 5-Megapixel camera with auto-focus. The screen may be smaller than on the Nokia N97 but there is no denying that this phone is punching well above its weight.
Best features
Looks and feels great
Responsive and fast
Nice screen
Not so good
Resistive panel technology
Limited storage
Camera protrudes
Closest Rivals
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LG Arena KM900
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