Nokia N97 smartphone

Photo: 3dh3m via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Nokia

Nokia N97

June 2009 6/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Nokia N97 was a high-end smartphone released in June 2009, notable for its unique slide-and-tilt mechanism revealing a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen. Running on Symbian S60 5th Edition, it aimed to combine multimedia capabilities with efficient typing, featuring a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and 32GB of internal storage.
Display3.5-inch resistive touchscreen (360x640 pixels)
ChipsetARM 11 434 MHz CPU
Main Camera5 MP with Carl Zeiss optics and dual-LED flash
BatteryRemovable 1500 mAh Li-Ion
Starting from $6,788

💰 Nokia N97 Price

The Nokia N97 lowest price is $6,788, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeTFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size3.5 inches
Resolution360 x 640 pixels

Platform

OSSymbian OS 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5 (Symbian^1/S60 5th Edition)
CPUARM 11 434 MHz

Memory

Internal Storage32 GB
RAM128 MB SDRAM
Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 16GB (dedicated slot)

Main Camera

Single5 MP, autofocus, Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash
FeaturesGeotagging
Video480p@30fps (VGA@30fps)

Selfie Camera

SingleVGA videocall camera

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery (BP-4L)
Stand-byUp to 432 h (2G) / 408 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 9 h 30 min (2G) / 6 h (3G)

Body

Dimensions117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 mm (18.25 mm at camera area)
Weight150 g
SIMMini-SIM
KeyboardSlide-out QWERTY keyboard

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP technology
Bluetooth2.0, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS; Ovi Maps
RadioStereo FM radio with RDS, FM transmitter
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

AnnouncedDecember 2008
StatusDiscontinued, October 2010
Release DateJune 2009

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Physical QWERTY keyboard for efficient typing
  • Large internal storage for its era (32GB)
  • Carl Zeiss camera optics
  • Unique slide-and-tilt form factor
  • Nostalgic value for collectors and enthusiasts

Cons

  • Resistive touchscreen (less responsive than capacitive)
  • Symbian OS is outdated and no longer supported
  • Limited RAM led to performance issues and sluggishness
  • Bulky and heavy design
  • Poor initial software experience and bugs
★ Our Verdict

While innovative for its time with a QWERTY keyboard and large storage, the N97 suffered from an underpowered processor, limited RAM, and an aging resistive touchscreen, leading to a frustrating user experience despite its ambitious features.

For anyone considering a Nokia N97 today, it's crucial to understand that this is a vintage device primarily for collectors, enthusiasts, or those seeking a nostalgic experience, not a daily driver. Expect significant limitations compared to modern smartphones, including a slow operating system, a resistive touchscreen that requires more pressure, and no app store support. Focus on finding a unit in excellent physical condition with a working battery, as replacements can be scarce. Be prepared for a device that offers a glimpse into early smartphone innovation but will struggle with contemporary internet and application demands. Its value lies in its historical significance and unique hardware design, particularly the slide-out keyboard.

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Nokia N97 handset
  • Travel charger
  • Micro-USB cable
  • Wired headset
  • Stylus
  • Cleaning cloth

As a vintage device, the Nokia N97 no longer carries a manufacturer's warranty; any coverage would be through a third-party reseller.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the Nokia N97?

The Nokia N97 is a high-end smartphone released by Nokia in June 2009, known for its unique slide-and-tilt design that reveals a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen.

What operating system does the Nokia N97 use?

The Nokia N97 runs on Symbian OS 9.4, specifically the Series 60 5th Edition (also known as Symbian^1).

Does the Nokia N97 have a physical keyboard?

Yes, one of the defining features of the Nokia N97 is its slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which tilts the screen for a more ergonomic typing experience.

What are the main camera specifications of the Nokia N97?

The Nokia N97 features a 5-megapixel main camera with Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, and a dual-LED flash, capable of recording video at 480p resolution at 30 frames per second.

Is the Nokia N97 still usable today?

While the Nokia N97 can still power on and perform basic functions, its Symbian operating system is outdated, and it lacks support for modern apps and internet standards, making it unsuitable as a primary smartphone today. It's primarily a collector's item.

What was the internal storage capacity of the Nokia N97?

The Nokia N97 came with a substantial 32 GB of internal storage, which was considered very generous for a smartphone at its time of release.