Upgrade time, what to get? N96 or wait for the N97?

MikeTimbers

MikeTimbers

MikeTimbers

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I have a 6500Slide on a monthly contract so can get up to an N96 free.

I don't care about the Internet on my phone, I don't care about social networking and I rarely use the camera.

I use the MP3 a lot and would like to be able to watch DivX AVI on a reasonable screen.

OTOH, I could reduce my contract price and just buy a DivX player.

N96 or not? Anyone know whether O2 will offer an N97 for £35 and when?
 
Apparently o2 won't be offering the N97 because of how heavily embedded Skype is- they cant/won't remove it and they don't want to lose money to VOIP. Whether this is still the case is unknown but I read it on these very forums not so long ago.

If you're considering the Touch HD I'd also consider the Touch Diamond 2 which is due shortly.

Although if you want a decent screen and decent video playback and you're quite MP3-centric it's hard to look past the IPhone, especially with new models on the way.
 
I just don't like the whole Apple thing. Irrational but there you go. Liking the HTC Touch HD at the moment which I can get through an online mobile retailer on my existing contract with a half-price for the first 6-month's line rental.
 
If it might encourage you just to walk into an o2 shop and try out out, I'll tell you that I was very much the same with the iPhone, but I went and had a play and even though I didn't get one I walked out thinking it was a good bit of kit despite my own prejudice.

Like I said, the HD is a nice piece of kit too although when I played I found it a touch too big (no pun intended) for my hands (or more importantly, the reach of my thumb, in fairness though, my hands are quite small). The Diamond 2 has a good res screen too and runs an updated TouchFlo UI. And the Diamond 2 gets a free upgrade to WM6.5.

In any case, I suggest you have a play first, WM isn't for everyone.

I had an Xperia and was horribly disappointed and sent it back (not so much because of WM though).
 
The iPhone won't play DivX.

I'm sure that O2 will offer the N97. They'd be losing a lot of customers if they didn't. Word on the Internet is that it'll be out in May. Might be June before the operators carry it.

N96 isn't a bad choice though. It'll certainly play video fine.
 
Even if they do offer it, the price tag is set to be immense- even subsidised I think it's gonna cost a lot, but will likely be an awesome device.

I doubt we're gonna see it as early as May though, not from what I've read, I was looking more to June and then summer for operators.

But yeah, can't go wrong with the N96, good music and video player for sure (although the nokia video manager sucks entirely).
 
It must be able to do DivX as the one thing I'm looking for above all else (other than being a decent phone!) is the ability to watch TV shows that I've got but not watched because I just don't have time. Except on my train commute when I read the papers which just depress me.

The N96 seems to have a quiet small screen, doesn't it? Compared to the Touch?
 
The screen on the N96 is quite a lot smaller than both of the Touch models mentioned and a lower resolution too. That said, I wouldn't in any sense say it was 'small'- take a look for yourself. It's a fair bit bigger than that of my N95 and I maged to watch stuff on that reasonably comfortably on train rides etc.

As far as divx goes, I'm not sure about the N96, I always had to convert them for my N95...
 
I have DivX player on my N96. You can download it from the DivX website.


+ The built in iPlayer app is the dogs danglies. I've watched Oz and James Drink to Britain and QI solely on my phone. :p
 
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How do you find your N96 battery wise Skippi ?

It's hopefully going to be my new phone soon (coming from an N80) and the battery is really the only thing I can see being an issue!
 
TheOtherOption said:
How do you find your N96 battery wise Skippi ?

It's hopefully going to be my new phone soon (coming from an N80) and the battery is really the only thing I can see being an issue!
Click to expand...

It all depends on how you use the phone.

I always have bluetooth turned off, wireless on.

Watching videos, the battery will last a few hours, maybe 7 at the most but I've never really tested this.

Music playing is similar.

Web browsing (No media) Around 10 hours as the WiFi is a bit of a drain

I have left mine for 3 days untouched at one stage and it was still going.

I do tend to take my charger everywhere with me though but one thing I was a little annoyed about is the lack of a charge by USB function as a USB cable is a lot more pocket friendly than a charger.


The battery is going to win no awards but it's not as bad as it's made out to be.
 
But other than the niggles with the software it's a worthwhile upgrade? ... specially as I'd be coming from an N80 which is very slow these days.

I wouldn't be using the bluetooth much, always have it off on the N80, and I have an iPod for music so that's not such a huge issue although I would use the phone for video playback - not more than an hour at a time though as wouldn't want to kill the battery.
 
Not really sure why you'd pick the N96. From Nokia's range, I'd suggest the N95 8GB, the N85 or the 5800 before it based on how you've described your needs.

I'm waiting for the N97.
 
MikeTimbers said:
I have a 6500Slide on a monthly contract so can get up to an N96 free.

I don't care about the Internet on my phone, I don't care about social networking and I rarely use the camera.

I use the MP3 a lot and would like to be able to watch DivX AVI on a reasonable screen.

OTOH, I could reduce my contract price and just buy a DivX player.

N96 or not? Anyone know whether O2 will offer an N97 for £35 and when?
Click to expand...

What about the Nokia 5800?
 
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