Desire vs Nokia N97

[nottmbantam]

So, following on from my first posting and first question, I've been looking more closely at the Desire ( with a view to buying one! ) but these are the following features that the Desire lacks ( which the N97 has ) :

No TV Out
No Mass Memory
No built in FM Transmitter
No native Skype application ( can use fring though )
No method of using the phone as wifi hotspot ( Joikuspot )

These are all features I would use on a pretty regular basis ( TV Out just occasionally ) so is it still worth getting, or maybe waiting for the Evo. Any ideas when that will be on UK release?

The other side of the coin is that although the N97 is 'feature packed', it still performs slowly, it's not 100% reliable and the user interface is quite frankly, terrible.

TIA.

 

[OctoPI]

I went from a N97 to the Nexus One and I have never looked back. While some features you mentioned aren't on the Desire/Nexus One family of HTC phones, the overall stability of the Android 2.1 OS as opposed to Symbian S60v5 sealed the deal for me.

On my N97 (v20) I had to reboot it once a day or every two days. I would get random crashes that the OS wouldn't recover from without a reboot. On my Nexus one, I went something like 550 hours of uptime before rebooting. That's over 3 weeks of uptime with no noticeable performance issues.

Also, the Symbian OS simply looks outdated compared to Android (or even WinMo). The OS may have been innovative when I was on my N73 and later N95-8Gb, but in today's market, I can't see its appeal.

I will say, however, that the N97 I had did not suffer any of the infamous hardware issues that others have experienced. But the software was just sub-par for a flagship N Series phone.

From a purely comparative standpoint between any top of the line HTC and any N Series Nokia, the best I can say is that:

Android 2.1 > Symbian S60v5

 

[grainysand]

No Mass Memory

Eh?

No built in FM Transmitter

The Desire has that, doesn't it?

No method of using the phone as wifi hotspot ( Joikuspot )

?

Even as I speak, I've got my phone tethered to my PC. Using the connection to post this, actually. Yes, Android does do tethering, either as a wired connection or a wifi hotspot. You just need an app for it.

 

[Yenzehn]

the N97 has 32GB of storage built into it.

FM Receiver, not transmitter.

 

[nottmbantam]

Yes, the N97 has 32gb built in mass memory and also a memory card slot, so currently I have 32gb+8gb card = 40gb storage. The downside is that the C Drive on the N97 is very limited, some applications have to be stored there, which then limits the phone's performance.

It is an FM TRANSMITTER, not receiver. I connect the N97 directly to the stereo in my car - no messy cables - and play all the music through it that way. Due to the mass memory, this means I can have all my music on the phone, and therefore in the car! One positive side effect, is that if a call comes through, the caller's voice also goes through the car's stereo system, making a kind of hands free unit.

AFAIK - this is a hard ware component, not software, so it the phone hasn't got one, there isn't an available app for it. The N97 Mini doesn't have one.

Although I have an external FM Transmitter for use with other devices, the built in one is of course far more convenient.

I understand that I can connect the Desire to a laptop and use the phone as a modem, but I use a Mac and ASAIK, the Desire doesn't sync with a Mac, only with Windoze machines? But, I don't really want to use it as a modem, I want to use the 3G data connection that my phone has and transmit this to my laptop ( like Joikuspot does ) . I did send an email to Joikuspot Customer Support and they have no idea when the Android version is coming out.

So, in summary, I lose a lot of N97 features, but gain a better UI and OS? To be blunt, I'm not sure it's worth it. I might wait for the Evo.

It's a bit like the UK General Election, the Party that got us here are rubbish, the alternative looks attractive, but upon investigation, it doesn't quite offer you what you want.

 

[moijk]

It is an FM TRANSMITTER, not receiver. I connect the N97 directly to the stereo in my car - no messy cables - and play all the music through it that way. Due to the mass memory, this means I can have all my music on the phone, and therefore in the car!

The desire has bluetooth so you can connect to the car stereo using that. The quality is of course in a different leauge than the shitty fm modulation, and many modern car stereos has that.

The desire has also up to 32gb of sd card ram that you can stick your music on. isn't that enough, you can bring another card.

 

[lekky]

So, following on from my first posting and first question, I've been looking more closely at the Desire ( with a view to buying one! ) but these are the following features that the Desire lacks ( which the N97 has ) :

No TV Out
No Mass Memory
No built in FM Transmitter
No native Skype application ( can use fring though )
No method of using the phone as wifi hotspot ( Joikuspot )

These are all features I would use on a pretty regular basis ( TV Out just occasionally ) so is it still worth getting, or maybe waiting for the Evo. Any ideas when that will be on UK release?

The other side of the coin is that although the N97 is 'feature packed', it still performs slowly, it's not 100% reliable and the user interface is quite frankly, terrible.

TIA.

1: no tv out
2: sd card counts as mass memory surely
3: nope
4: fring is adequate replacement.
5: once rooted you can do this. rooting is easy and i will be doing it asap

Really cant compare the phones generally, android is a much better platform.

 

[Yenzehn]

You do not need to root your phone to tether the connection.

PdaNet free edition - Cyrket works on macs.

It it worth noting that HTTPS pages will be blocked after 14 days and you will need to buy the full version: http://www.junefabrics.com/android/buy.php

 

[nottmbantam]

1: no tv out
2: sd card counts as mass memory surely
3: nope
4: fring is adequate replacement.
5: once rooted you can do this. rooting is easy and i will be doing it asap

Really cant compare the phones generally, android is a much better platform.

SD card is an additional expense. N97 has 32gb built in. Last time I checked, a 32gb SD card was round

 

[Yenzehn]

Well, the 32GB still adds to the construction cost of the phone, so in the end you will still pay for it indirectly - the N97 is mainly cheaper because of the lower end processor, less RAM etc.

Although, to be honest, I would like some more internal memory.

Alternatives such as the Samsung Galaxy S will have 8GB/16 of built in flash memory, but the release date is not known at this time - but it is known that it will be expensive.

 

[nottmbantam]

You do not need to root your phone to tether the connection.

PdaNet free edition - Cyrket works on macs.

It it worth noting that HTTPS pages will be blocked after 14 days and you will need to buy the full version: PdaNet for Android Purchase Agreement

THis looks like just the thing I'd need - thanks for the tip! Phone doesn't need to be rooted either - result! Bit pricier than Joikuspot, but if it works, it could well be worth it.

 

[nottmbantam]

Well, the 32GB still adds to the construction cost of the phone, so in the end you will still pay for it indirectly - the N97 is mainly cheaper because of the lower end processor, less RAM etc.

Although, to be honest, I would like some more internal memory.

Alternatives such as the Samsung Galaxy S will have 32GB of built in flash memory, but the release date is not known at this time - but it is known that it will be expensive.

Fair point,and I considered this when looking at what was lacking in the Desire, the missing components would have raised the cost of the phone ( Desire ) , so in some ways, I can buy the Desire, then 'add' the bits I need eg tethering software, SD card etc.

But, in terms of the cost of a handset, I bought the N97 when it first came out, setting me back just over

 

[lekky]

You do not need to root your phone to tether the connection.

PdaNet free edition - Cyrket works on macs.

It it worth noting that HTTPS pages will be blocked after 14 days and you will need to buy the full version: PdaNet for Android Purchase Agreement

Well he did ask if you can make the phone a wifi hotspot, and you cannot do this unless rooted!

 

[hamdroid]

I recently went from an N97 to an HTC Desire and I can say there's certainly no looking back, EVER!

The Nokia N97 build quality was shocking, the touch screen becomes warped if you keep it in your pocket, making it even less responsive than it is in the first place. Speaking of touch screen, the resistive screen is horrible. You may not notice it if it's your first touch screen phone or if you've not tried capacative, but believe me it's very old tech and horrible once you've tried the likes of an HTC Desire or even modern iPhones (yuk).

No TV Out

Nope, but it's a handset, do you really need this? I hardly ever used this feature on my N97 and don't miss it one bit.

No Mass Memory

It comes with a 4gig Mirco SD and you can of course purchase a bigger one if you wish, including a 32gig one that matches the N97's memory size. Downside is it's extra cost, upside is that it's changeable so you can swap it about or replace it if it's faulty etc.

No built in FM Transmitter

This was a good feature on the N97, however it's easily remedied by buying one of the many cheap plug in FM transmitters on the market or using Bluetooth with a handsfree system.

No native Skype application ( can use fring though )

That's an APP thing, if the phone becomes popular - which it will - then how long until the official app comes along? In the mean time, try a 3rd party app that connects to it.

No method of using the phone as wifi hotspot ( Joikuspot )

Again, an App thing, and with Android being easily developed for and a popular growing platform it may not take long before we see such a thing, if one's not already out there.

On the plus side, it's faster, it's smoother, it's easier to use, it looks better, it's thinner, better camera, much better browser, more apps available, up and coming OS, it's realiable etc.

Since replacing my N97 with the Desire I can't believe I was using the N97. It makes the N97 feel like an old phone, a very old phone. More like last year's tech, where as the Desire feels more modern.

In my mind, there's no comparrison

 

[stringent]

The N97 can do most things the Desire can, just not as well. The Android UI is streaks ahead of S60v5. This is what the change is all about. If you can put up with the clunky Symbian interface on the N97 then stick with it, and hold out and see if the N8 or N98 even will be an improvement with S^3 of what you are used to.

For me, the UI is a crucial part of the phones usage. The N97 became sluggy to the extent where it took around 10secs to open/reply/send a text message. OK I did have like 2K of them! Also Nokia Messaging was shockingly bad on my N97. VERY bad. Also it didn't sync up with my BMW Bluetooth. The Desire does all those things fine and quick. I'll have to wait and see how it copes with 2K messages though!

The Desire hardware is OK, but the battery life is shocking. You have to manually turn off the wireless networks to get it to last. On that matter which apps are recommended for managing wireless settings quickly? At least SYmbian asked if you wanted to use a connection, which one, then turned off when you quit.

 

[spirit44]

The video recording on the n97 was so much better, this is really getting to me.

Picture wise they are comparable in good light, indoors or low light the desire is awful, frame rate drops dramatically making it look awful. Sound wise the n97 kicks the desire's butt into next week, its so bad its hard to believe

Is there any way to stop the frame rate drop?

 

[Vertigo1]

With regards to tethering, AFAIK all the networks currently prohibit this in their T&Cs anyway so it's a bit of a moot point. Of course this doesn't mean you can't do it, just be prepared for the consequences if you get caught

 

[cveks]

desire ownz n97

it has much better hardware and much better operating system (Android 2.1)

I dont have N97 but I have similar model E75 and let me tell you Desire ownz all nokia phones.

Especially for things like Internet services

 

[cveks]

The N97 can do most things the Desire can, just not as well. The Android UI is streaks ahead of S60v5. This is what the change is all about. If you can put up with the clunky Symbian interface on the N97 then stick with it, and hold out and see if the N8 or N98 even will be an improvement with S^3 of what you are used to.

For me, the UI is a crucial part of the phones usage. The N97 became sluggy to the extent where it took around 10secs to open/reply/send a text message. OK I did have like 2K of them! Also Nokia Messaging was shockingly bad on my N97. VERY bad. Also it didn't sync up with my BMW Bluetooth. The Desire does all those things fine and quick. I'll have to wait and see how it copes with 2K messages though!

The Desire hardware is OK, but the battery life is shocking. You have to manually turn off the wireless networks to get it to last. On that matter which apps are recommended for managing wireless settings quickly? At least SYmbian asked if you wanted to use a connection, which one, then turned off when you quit.

my battery lasts for at least 2 days. And I surf a lot with my desire.

 

[riverboat2001]

Hi nottmbantam,

Im sure you remember me from the AAS forums, so you know i've been there with the N97.

From my point of view there are a number of things about the N97 that i miss.

1/ The native iplayer app, and the ability to download shows to watch later. (although hopefully this can be rectified, beebplayer already allows you to watch it in catchup mode)
2/proper keyboard, i find the onscreen keyboard quite awkward, so with large fingers it could be annoying, i'm forever hitting the wrong keys.
3/fm transmitter
4/ N97 has definately got better/louder sound. (but the N95 was better!)
5/htc sync is pretty rubbish, and Nokia PC suite is now a great functional program that i really miss.


At the moment i'm still using the the N97 as my Desire is currently waiting for it's sim unlock to go through.
And I'm playing about with the Desire at home on my wifi connection.

To be honest the Desire is lighter, slimmer, way faster, and much more customisational than the N97.

Android market place via the phone is pretty good, but via the web is rubbish. Although this site does what you need online:
Find great Android apps and games - AppBrain

There are loads of great apps, have a look to see what you can get/do.

In summary, i really miss the qwerty keyboard and the ability to "manage" my phone via my pc and Ovi online, but the trade off for a phone that is FUN to use is one i can live with.
In the end there will always be another better phone on the horizon, and i will be keeping my eye out for the reviews of the N8, but i won't be a beta tester for Nokia like i felt i was with the N97.

All the best
Sharon

 

[matttye]

With regards to the FM transmitter. The Nexus One is capable of transmitting an FM signal, it's just not implemented in the software. Seeing as the HTC Desire and N1 are essentially the same device, I'd imagine the Desire is capable of it too.

 

[marshalex]

personally for me its like comparing a fiesta to a ferrari. i was really excited when the n97 came out and ordered one for release day, but the more i used it the more frustrated and annoying it became. the os was poor, app store even worse, it was crashing frequently and the screen was poor. i did like the 32gb of storage, i did like the keyboard but all of these were minor specks of light in an otherwise black room as the os is not a patch on android 2.1 and the desire seems to do most simple things that you'd expect from a smart phone loads better, making the extras such as the fm transmitter (which i found pretty poor anyway), tv out and hard keypard not important. unless htc start producing duds (or the desire goes horribly wrong) i don't think i'd touch a nokia again

 

[OFI]

With regards to tethering, AFAIK all the networks currently prohibit this in their T&Cs anyway so it's a bit of a moot point. Of course this doesn't mean you can't do it, just be prepared for the consequences if you get caught

Tethering for anyone using an Android on T-Mobile UK is within their terms