So clearly we can all tell by the name that the N97 mini is actually smaller than the original N97. But seriously, how small is it? If you can’t get your hands on a dummy device at a retail shop (assuming you’re too lazy to go there and check it out) I’ll help you out and try to show you the differences in the next few lines.
A. Measurements
The N97 measures 117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9mm with a thickness of 18.25mm around the camera area. The N97 mini cuts that down to 113 x 52.5 x 14.2mm with 16.4mm around the camera, which at first might not appear much to you, but believe me when I say 1.7mm makes a BIG difference. What I haven’t found too different is the length of the device despite the fact that the major change occurred here: 4.2mm were taken out; I guess it’s because the width and thickness are so different, you ignore the fact that the device is shorter. Yes, it is narrower and you’ll immediately notice that. However, the first thing you’ll perceive is that the device is thinner and you’ll like it. The N97 mini’s size is mostly to be compared to that of the 5800XM which measures 111 x 51.7 x 15.5mm so you can try to picture what the mini will look like in your hand. Note that the N97 mini fits perfectly well inside the hard rubber casing that ships with the 5800XM, something I’ve found at times useful to protect this new gem.
N97
N97 mini
Next to 5800XM
Sizing up: the "Touch Family"
Along with other "siblings"...
B. Material
No matter how much I praise the build quality of the N97 mini it can never be too much. Just a week ago I was telling a friend that the N97’s build quality is a major step-up from what the Nseries used to be, and so is the N86 which we all know is built like a panzer. The N97 mini puts those two devices to shame, if I may, because it sports metal casing from both the front and the back. While the fascia hasn’t changed – the same metal frame hugs the screen – the back cover is entirely made of stainless steel (except for the upper and lower non-removable parts which you’ll see in the pics) and even the camera’s border is made of stainless steel. This device definitely belongs to the Eseries; it reminds me of both the E71 and the E72.
The N97 weighs in at 150g while the little brother weighs 138g. Again, when you have bother devices in hand, you will not notice the difference unless you’re some sort of bionic man, but when you’re holding only the N97 mini you will get the impression it is heavier. Why? Because there’s metal involved and the device is small so it feels heavier than it looks before you pick it up. All in all it is one of the best build mobiles to date, no questioning that.
C. Screen
The screen size is 3.2 inches and it does make a huge difference. Coming from a 3.5-inch display on the N97, it took me a couple of days to adjust to the mini’s screen. If you haven’t used the classic N97 you’ll find it great. But if you have, it’s a step backwards, only in terms of size of course. I still love the screen of the big brother. The screen slides up by 40 degrees instead of 45 degrees, and I find that to be the optimal angle. It’s intuitive and you never have to adjust to it. You just need to pick up the handset, slide-open the screen and start typing.
D. Keyboard
P.S. For sake of making this review global and not just restricted to a certain region or area, I will describe the keyboard of the NAM/EU variant which I assume is similar to the one in the official pictures of the product. My handset is a retail unit which is designed for the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with an EN-AR keyboard hence it has Arabic characters and different FN + key combinations.
Keys are slightly more spaced out
Let’s begin with a very important change: the d-pad. I always found it had limited functionality on a touchscreen device because I mostly found myself touching something on the screen to confirm rather than pressing the middle button or flicking through a list instead of using the up and down keys on the d-pad. However, note that the d-pad has been replaced by arrow keys, just like on your normal computer keyboard, and they are well located where you want them to be, on the right, again just like the computer’s. Too bad the spacebar is still in its place and not in the middle.
Removing that d-pad has allowed the addition of another 2 keys for each row for a total of 38 keys instead of 33 and a d-pad on the original N97. Since the enter button did the same work as the mid button of the d-pad, there was not point of keeping it. The keyboard looks much better now and you feel you’re really typing on a full one without having to ignore the d-pad on the left side.
The keys are now slightly more raised above the surface of the keyboard, and they are less slippery. I always hated how my N97 keys felt like they had been used for ages before I got the handset; they felt too…worn out when they actually weren’t. The N97 mini’s keys are now more rubberized and feel like they’re granulated meaning your fingers stick on them without slipping. Some people don’t like that; it’s a matter of taste. I did not find that to be irritating. On the contrary, they make the device feel fresh.
When it comes to the mini’s keyboard, you REALLY have to get used to it. If you’re switching from an N97, damn you’re going to feel a difference. Sounds weird? Here’s why:
What’s been changed:
Position of keys:
- Like I said the d-pad is totally gone now replaced by 4 arrow keys on the right side of the keyboard.
- The keys on the N97 mini are smaller than on the N97.
- They are slightly more spaced out. First row of keys (below the screen) now has an additional key - the Sym key as the first key of the row; this was located right before the last key on the last row with the classic N97. The second additional key has been added right before the last key on the row (falls between the 0 key and the backspace) and now has the comma and semicolon (FN + comma).
- Second row now has the FN key as the first key and the up arrow as the second addition.
- Third row now has the left, right, and down keys added and the space bar extended.
- The old spacebar used to take up the space of 1 key and 1/3 of the adjacent key; it now takes up the space of 2 keys.
If you think getting used to the N97’s keyboard was easy, now you have to do part of it all over again. SYM and FN keys have been relocated to your left, so the last keys on the left are not letters anymore. You've got to let your brain memorize that. Besides, the spacebar key is now pushed further towards the middle which means you have a new position for it to get used to since after it are 3 arrow keys instead of two small SYM and FN keys. I would have preferred the spacebar key to be in the middle, but for some reason Nokia is keeping it there. I like the key layout of the E75's keyboard, and so I feel this should be applied to all other full keyboard devices.
Shortcuts (FN + key or long press):- Depending on your region or country, you will notice that some shortcuts (as in FN+key or long press) been added; like the parenthesis and the “underscore” _ and % as well as & are there. My keyboard only has the parenthesis thingy going. I will not be able to enjoy the underscore and the & keys without having to hit the Sym key! Again, this might change according to your handset but the point is there have been changes with the functions of many keys, and it’s all for our benefit. The typing experience is decent; I'd have to say it beats the N97 but not the E72. Although the two cannot be compared, I still feel more comfortable with the E72 in my hands. Needless to say, the N97 mini ranks among the top full-QWERTYs I've tested.
E. The Color
Rust. Bronze. Garnet. Call it the way you like it. I made fun of this color when I first heard the announcement and saw it in pictures, but believe me when you see the mini in real life you will change your mind. Designers might have gone a wee bit crazy with it – I mean a brown/golden color for the E72 and now a garnet color for the N97 mini? But hey, isn’t this better than the regular black, white, and red colors? I find it to be stylish and it sure makes a lot of heads turn.
F. Everything Else
If we shrink ourselves and take a ride around both handsets, we can notice nothing has changed. They’re identical except for the hand-strap hole.On the left side, the microUSB port is still there but it’s been flipped; it’s upside down now and the little white LED is above the port not below it. The on/off button has now the same color as the housing. The speakers are still in the same spot but have slightly wider openings.
The menu key seeps the light out and is finally useful for checking missed events. The key itself is semi-transparent and granulated. Send and End keys are pushed farther to the right. They are now more separated. The lock key has been pushed downwards. The camera key has been raised and is now protruding. The camera has no cover; the dual-LED flash is visible, thus you can use flashlight apps easily just like on the N86 – no need to open the lens cover to use the flash and there’s no risk
The Nokia logo is now in the mid section right on top of the screen. Light sensor and front camera are on top of each other and not next to each other. The word “mini” is nowhere to be seen on the handset. “N97” is aligned to the left of the Nokia branding of the fascia. The SIM card holder totally comes out. You insert the SIM in it and tuck it back inside. The microSD card is still under the back-cover.
As a conclusion of this first part, I’d like to say that I’m greatly impressed by the N97 mini. Coming from a guy who has a love affair with the Eseries, this should be taken as a compliment. I have in fact said earlier on Twitter and in my “first impressions” piece that the N97 should have been labeled E97 because it complies with all the standards that the Eseries has set when it comes to build quality. The size of the device is amazing; to me, this is the most favorable size on a handset today: not too big and not too small. The keyboard is an improvement over the classic N97 and the sliding mechanism feels very sturdy so I’m going to say the N97 mini wins it in this area. I hope I haven’t left anything out. If there’s something else you need be covered let me know through comments or on Twitter. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get some sleep before starting the second part of the review!
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