Nokia N97 vs. Nokia N97 Mini: Where are the differences
Posted by Norman John in N-Series, N97, N97 Mini, Nokia
Due to the huge demand on the Nokia N97, during Nokia World 2009 in Suttgart, Nokia launched a little brother, the N97 Mini. The word ‘Mini’ just signalise that it’s smaller than the original. However, what else is different? This article will show you all the differences between these siblings.
Size & Display:
First things first is the different size. The Mini is slightly smaller than the N97 in all directions. It’s edges are also slightly rounded so that it will fit better in your pocket. Compared to other phones however, it is still quite big. When holding it in the hand you can really tell that the Mini is 22g lighter than the N97. The comparison picture will help you get a better feeling of the size.
In order to get the N97 Mini smaller, Nokia had to decrease the screen-size. The really huge 3.5” display is now only 3.2″ and the original resolution remains at 360 x 640 pixel with 16M colors.
Keyboard:
The full QWERTY-keyboard, despite the smaller amount of space, is still present. Nevertheless, there has been some redesign in terms of the keypad. First, the big D-pad on the left side has been replaced by four arrow keys on the right side. Other than that there is more space between each keys and the keys are a little bit higher giving you a much better feel when typing.
Battery and the backside:
Also the backside has received a nice face lift. The plastic battery cover has been replaced by a solid metallic battery cover. This gives the Mini a nice look and feel. Although the original N97 felt really good, the Mini feels even better. The Mini has no camera protection but also comes with the same 5 mega pixel camera and Dual LED flash.
This time the N97 Mini is powered by a 1200mAh battery which is basically 300mAh less than the big N97. A bigger battery would be great but due to the little space this was the only way to go.
Internal Storage:
To keep the price as low as possible Nokia reduces the internal storage from 32GB to 8GB. If this isn’t enough you can expand your memory with microSD card anyway.
Price:
The price mentioned in the keynote was 450€ before taxes and subsidies. This is about 100€ less than the big N97 costs. I’d love to see this devices being even cheaper to address more customers.
Little details:
This isn’t really a big deal but the hinge mechanism isn’t showing all the features like GPS etc any more, but now simply says the name and that it’s been designed in Finland – the motherland of Nokia.
Final words:
These are pretty much all significant changes or differences. Yet, the software versions aren’t same but as soon as the Firmware 2.0 will come out for the original N97 both versions will be the same. All in all this is a big step and I can confidently forecast a big future for the N97 Mini.
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One big difference is the change in screen angle, its shallower, you can actually see the screen now when typing….
Get the Mini, you wont be sorry.
You missed out more internal memory on the C: drive due to larger NAND size, 256MB vs 512MB on the Mini.
Also the Mini doesn’t have a Compass or an FM transmitter. Course the FM Transmitter in the N97 is so weak it’s nearly impossible to ever use it.
If the center of the N97 d-pad is an ok-button, where is it on the mini?
Hello guys from symbianworld,
great article.
Can you tell me which color the Mini has on this review?? Garnet or the darker one called cherryblack?
Thank you!
So the only real difference between thos two phones is the internal memory and layout of the keypad? For that one has to pay 100 Euro’s extra? I think the Mini would be the one to go for. I must say that I very much like the looks of both N97’s. But what I’m really wondering is whether this sliding mechanism will hold over time. I mean with my E90 communicator the opening mechanism got broken after 3 years of usage.
Ragazzi, avete visto il “N900″. considerato il costo e le carattestiche di entrambi penso sia più conveniente il N900. Che ne pensate?
[...] by Norman John in N-Series, N97, N97 2.0, N97 Mini, N97 Mini RAOUL Limited Edition, Nokia In a previous article I showed all major differences between the Nokia N97 and the Nokia N97 Mini. The N97 Mini is not [...]
Wow i think the articles so clear ! I really understood it well. I think that there both good phones aswell
N97 and mini both are gud
basically people who cant aford n97 they can by the cheaper version wich cuts features
if u guys are unsure whether to buy a n97 or n97 mini, i can tell u from personal experience, that the mini version is way better… its faster, smoother, and it is a lot more practical too!
the main difference is the internal memory…but honestly are u reallly going to use more than 8gb plus an external 16gb memory??? i dont think so…
if u want to do urself a favour buy the mini version and save 100euro
great! thankyou
i was wondering what the differences were and was deciding which one to get, now i’m pretty sure i will go for the mini! thank you a lott xx
well, u cannot compare them, its depends on users needs.. are you a media maniac or web browser? go for the big one, are you a just a app maniac go for the mini.
About the prices, is 100 euro less, yes; but this mobile is design for media, are you sure 8gb is enough? microSD 16GB is around 72 dollars.. if you get my point.
so in short notes, it depends how u use this phone; and any phone.
hope this helps.
yo y’all say the mini is 100 euro’s cheaper, but here the price of the mini is 25 euros more than the original n97. i know this isn’t a big difference but you can’t say this is a phone for ppl who can’t afford the original n97. cuz u aint savin money on this 1.
I have N97 and I bought it before Mini was launched. It cuts prices for sure but keeping an N 97 always helps in cutting competition such as iphone and it really feels good to hold an expensive phone which has more features. 32 GB is endless and a better keyboard always puts you in a different league!! so choice is yours..!
Price never lie… always buy the most expensive to get a better product ^_^
Mine N97mini have a working compass and it works quite well. Despite this there is also a lot of bugs, whole system can crash without any visible reason from time to time. I belive Nokia will fix this soon. So.. it is better to wait until prices get lower and bugs are fixed.
@FX — prices sometimes lie. Two years ago I got new HTC TyTN – expensive and completely worthless piece of shit.
this helped me alot it was very clear and easy to understand so thankyou
i think i might go for the mini xx
I was in a mobile phone shop today and they only had a Nokia N97. I asked about the Nokia N97 Mini and was told that they are the same. I knew they were just trying to sell me what they had so I left the shop and came home to check on the internet. It seems that there are a fair amount of differences so thanks for explaining them and for the photos of the phones next to each other. Cheers, great help!
What about difference between battery life?
can n97 mini by any how can have fm transmitter
Hii..well i’m just confused.i want to buy the mob but i’m not being able to choose betwin n97 n the mini.i just want the best koz i’vE already an iphone 3gs.plz suggest me.
fucckito..u eggyito..speak in english bitch..N97 minito…muahahaha…
Hmm nice wakeup call! Thanks for the comparison. I haven’t been interested in any of these phones because they weren’t supported by skype, until yesterday. It’s time to make a move on N97.. Just for the larger internal memory and screen size sake, N97 buys more of my attention. A comparison of the battery life, Audio hardware performance, and other internal features would be even more helpful thanks
There are too many differences, imo biggest would be crappy battery for the mini.
My Mini can work FM radio, via use of a headset