With the last review of the N97mini happening so late and a lot of things happening at my end (chronic backache, transfer of work location and some personal issues) I’ve been unable to bring you the remaining parts of the N97mini review. I apologize for the same.
Well anyway, without wasting time let me finish this most important part of the review.
Software:
The N97mini employs the latest version of the firmware, a.k.a V2.0, this version of the S60 5th edition, was hotly anticipated by the owners of the N97 as the saviour of the N97. While it did set a few things right, it could not do enough to mend what was committed at the hardware stage. The N97mini seems to have benefited most from the mistakes made by the N97. the mini has a larger internal memory (240MB + compared to 72MB on the N97). The screen is definitely more responsive. It seems Nokia has been really working on their screens.
On the software part, there is little difference with the N97. Everything is just as is on the N97, though I will have to say that things seems much better executed by the phone. Multitasking is much better and overall the mini does seem snappier than the N97. The N97mini also comes preloaded with a huge bucket load of widgets and apps, it also has space for lots more.
Let me list out what came with our review unit,
1. Drawing
2. JoikuSpot
3. Qik
4. Boingo
5. Traveler
6. YouTube
7. AccuWeather
8. Amazon
9. AP Mobile
10. Bloomberg
11. CNBC TV-18
12. CNN Video
13. Elle
14. Facebook
15. Friendster
16. Hi5
17. MySpace
18. Slideshow
19. Vlingo
20. Asphalt4
21. Spore
22. Marble Maze
23. BDayLauncher
This surely makes it a loaded phone. Despite all of these apps being there the phone had an amazing 240MB+ of available memory, meant that one could run Nokia Messaging and install a few more apps and the phone would not slow down or hang like it’s big brother.
A gallery of images will show the N97mini’s OS.
I’d give the entire experience a 8/10. The S60 5th edition works well, but still feels clunky.
Music:
When it comes to music, the N97mini did not disappoint. It was loud and clear. The dedicated audio chip allows one to experience good quality music. The earphones supplied with the mini are also pretty good. Though on the BH-905 is when you can actually really feel the clarity. Devices in the price range of US $300 and above are now mini stereos without the huge speakers now a days. The N97mini is no less. It’s own stereo speakers being pretty loud. In a noisy environment (Indian conditions) it does get difficult to hear the phone.
The music player on the mini is the standard music player on any S60 5th edition, which means it offers shuffle, repeat, equalizer settings. The look of the player remains unchanged and that’s a bit bad as it is beginning to look old already. Nseries definitely need to make the player more appealing to their target audience. Adding a few more features would definitely help.
The music store which is tied to the Nokia Music store works very nicely on the N97mini. Once you log in and enter the serial no. for the free 100 tracks that come with the phone, you can download straight onto your phone. Should you choose to send it to a friend or a PC, you can do it too. Nokia Music Store has a continuously growing library of music and features the latest content and some other content which can be hard to come by these days.
And if all of these things still leave you wanting for more, FM radio should help you. The N97mini has FM radio, so you can listen to all the music you want over the airwaves. Absensce of an FM transmitter is glaring here. I am left wondering why it was not retained for the N97mini?
Overall the N97mini gets an 8/10. If one takes out the Music Store, the score comes down to 7. The Music Player app needs urgent help, in my opinion, when it comes to aesthetics.
Battery:
The battery on the N97mini is not the same that did duty on the N97. Since it has a smaller screen and a few other things missing over the N97, Nokia decided to give it a smaller battery. The Nokia BL-4D does duty on the mini. It is rated at 1200mAh, a full 20% lesser than the N97′s 1500mAh. While in the normal course you would not feel it. But if you are a heavy user the charge awaits you by the time you reach home at night. I’ve been able to squeeze 2-3days from the battery with moderate usage. Heavy users are likely to find it tough to manage that feat.
If you are watching one of the three preloaded movies on the N97mini (Da Vinci Code, Spiderman, My Best Friend’s Wedding) you will see the bars drop pretty fast. The device will also heat up from the bottom.
I’d rate it at 7/10. This is a mixed bag and though the battery life is good on it, with one doing many things on it, don’t expect it to last that long.
Gallery:
