N97 or HTC Hero?

nokmond · 10-08-2009, 9:51 AM

I'm due an upgrade on Tmob, (I have to say with them because i get F&F Discount) and i'm thinking of either the N97 or G2.

I currently use an N95 but i also had a HTC Diamond for a while. I hated the Diamond but the Hero uses Android not WM so I will have a look.

What would you get and why?

andyitr · 10-08-2009, 11:01 AM

IMO get the HTC phone is going to be a far better phone then the Nokia.

spaceman763 · 10-08-2009, 11:22 AM

I had exactly the same dilemma and after using both phones for about an hour each it was clear that the HTC is just so much more user friendly and pleasant to use. I am sure the N97 is a good phone but it just seemed very disjointed to me and the s60 OS very dated. The HTC was the exact opposite, lovely UI with the new Sense overlay.

I also find resistive screens like that on the N97 too 'heavy' to use without a stylus. Having used a Nokia 5800 I just could not see the value or justify the additional expense for the N97. The capacitive screen on the HTC is much more smoother to use (especially the browser) and is the closest I have seen to the iPhone (the current benchmark).

As you have probably guessed by now, I went with the HTC and do not regret it all. It would be worth popping down to a phone store and using both before deciding, however unless you really want a physical keyboard and built in memory, I can't see any reason for opting for the N97.

Good Luck

spaceman763 · 10-08-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nokmond

I'm due an upgrade on Tmob, (I have to say with them because i get F&F Discount)

How much are they charging you to upgrade? I know T-Mobile price the N97 around £160 higher than the G2.

NicolasB · 10-08-2009, 4:20 PM

On the basis of only a quick demo of either, I'd say definitely the Hero. The N97 seems very clunky, and the reviews suggest a lot of reliability problems. The Hero interface is rather nice - supports multitouch in the same way as the iPhone does.

Sy1441 · 10-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Hero is the better phone.

N97 will cost you £200
Hero will cost you £35

What I call a "no brainer"

dr no · 11-08-2009, 2:35 PM

I'll go with above post.

Having got an N97 myself and played with a HTC Magic(closest to Hero I've played with) I would say the Hero as it is much smoother. The N97 is definately 'clunky' in use. BUT I'm hoping it will keep improving with firmware updates. The Qwerty keyboard for me is the best useful feature in practice.

HayzeC · 22-08-2009, 12:49 AM

I'm going to opt for a hero in a couple weeks - I've played with both and its the one I prefer.

However its a personal choice - go and have a try of them in a store yourself. I know someone who much prefers the N97. For him the qwerty keyboard and d-pad matter because he's concerned about touch screen reliability. He also tends to abuse his phones so the chunkier N97 is better for him, likewise with the resistive touch screen he likes it as he seems to struggle with non-resistive sorts.

If you like the symbian operating system pick the N97. I presonally prefer the Android base as its more flexible and adaptable, and is open source allowing for more applications to be made to run on it.

N97 has a much better camera including flash. Hero has a much better contacts system, integrating facebook and your phonebook and letting you see the full contact history with a person.

Both are good phones though, pick the one which you think suits you best and feels best to use. If you hunt hard enough you can get really good deals on both.

nokmond · 22-08-2009, 9:19 PM

Just an update seems i started the thread! I got my Hero on weds and i haven't put it down since!

It makes my n95 and my missus n79 feel ancient. It an absolute joy to use and unless i've been super lucky i don't really know what all the supposed lag is all about. So if anyone else has the same question - get a Hero.

jUsT2eXy · 28-08-2009, 1:45 AM

Hey guys. I am thinking about getting rid of my white N97 ...this is due to the following (/discussions/board/message?board.id=smartphones&thread.id=159635) (My post on Nokia support forum)

N97 > HTC Hero.

The only thing I am unsure about is the HTC Hero's 65000 Screen colours as opposed to the 16million of the N97.

Can somebody please help me with that issue.

65k colours VS 16mill.
Will pictures look rubbish? Will the 65k colours have an effect on the phones usability (games/videos/pics etc)?

The Hero has the same resolution as the iphone. Is Resolution more important as oppsoed to screen colours?

Android looks the shizzle. (It's all about the eye candy)
Andriod is more stable
" " has more features
" " more customizable
etc etc

Oh & hows the Camera on the Hero. Any good?
Hows the sound quality?

Your answers will inevitably sway my decision.
Thanks

justdoit · 31-08-2009, 11:09 AM

I am not in the least bit surprised with all the bugs in the OS on the N97, the N95 was exactly the same when that launched so it seems this is how Nokia work, Launch it when its 99% working and work on the fixes whilst getting the revenue from the sales of the model but as phones are getting more n more Hi Tech I guess this is something we will have to live with. It's one of the downsides to being an early adopter, pay more, get less and live with it but I would rather do this myself than be stuck with limited features with forced annual upgrades a'la iPhone. For the record I'm reasonably happy with the N97, it hasn't frustrated me like the N95 did on launch and its poles apart from the SE C905 I was using between the two Nokia's tho will admit the 905's Camera blows the Nokia's out of the water, it is far far superior.

TROYBOY · 31-08-2009, 2:35 PM

Is it true you cant use bluetooth to transfer files/pics/music from another phone???

HayzeC · 31-08-2009, 3:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jUsT2eXy

Hey guys. I am thinking about getting rid of my white N97 ...this is due to the following (/discussions/board/message?board.id=smartphones&thread.id=159635) (My post on Nokia support forum)

N97 > HTC Hero.

The only thing I am unsure about is the HTC Hero's 65000 Screen colours as opposed to the 16million of the N97.

Can somebody please help me with that issue.

65k colours VS 16mill.
Will pictures look rubbish? Will the 65k colours have an effect on the phones usability (games/videos/pics etc)?

The Hero has the same resolution as the iphone. Is Resolution more important as oppsoed to screen colours?

Android looks the shizzle. (It's all about the eye candy)
Andriod is more stable
" " has more features
" " more customizable
etc etc

Oh & hows the Camera on the Hero. Any good?
Hows the sound quality?

Your answers will inevitably sway my decision.
Thanks

I can't answer the colours question, but I certainly haven't noticed the colours looking bad or the screen feeling lacking. It all looks very smooth.

The camera is pretty average - not that many settings, no flash, not the most easy camera to use either. I think HTC rather threw the camera in to keep with the crowd but really the phones specialities and strengths lie elsewhere.

I've been enjoying using mine this past week, though I'm not calling or texting on it until tomorrow when I can port my number from my last phone. I have suffered some of the lag that people have talked about though its not awful. Its worst when you've been using one application a lot in quick succession - e.g. editing contact details and when you have a lot of applications running at the same time. There is going to be a ROM update in the near future which should help this one.

The email programs and the text entry on the touch screen are excellent though, as is the people application, which for me is a major selling point, with the ability to see a full call history and text history for a person in one place and link to facebook and flickr.

I'm definitely glad I chose the Hero - the interface is much more intuitive than the symbian OSs, though it does take a little bit of getting used to. It is an excellent phone and I'd recommend it without a doubt, though not if you are a heavy phone camera user.

RandomLee · 31-08-2009, 7:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROYBOY

Is it true you cant use bluetooth to transfer files/pics/music from another phone???

Its true I'm afraid. I reckon it might be something that gets implemented in a future Android update though.

Unless it's a deal breaker, it's not something that I would let put you off the phone

TROYBOY · 01-09-2009, 12:27 PM

I was looking at getting it but it think a lack of bluetooth transfer is a no-no unfortunately as i think android and the phone are looking quite inviting. not really bothered about the slugishness or dodgy camera but bluetooths a basic feature that I like using alot.

10-08-2009, 11:01 AM	#2
andyitr Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chelmsford Thanks: Gave 24, Got 9 Posts: 264	Re: N97 or HTC Hero? IMO get the HTC phone is going to be a far better phone then the Nokia.
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31-08-2009, 2:35 PM	#12
TROYBOY Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MITCHAM, surrey Thanks: Gave 5, Got 19 Posts: 810	Re: N97 or HTC Hero? Is it true you cant use bluetooth to transfer files/pics/music from another phone???
	Quote

01-09-2009, 12:27 PM	#15
TROYBOY Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MITCHAM, surrey Thanks: Gave 5, Got 19 Posts: 810	Re: N97 or HTC Hero? I was looking at getting it but it think a lack of bluetooth transfer is a no-no unfortunately as i think android and the phone are looking quite inviting. not really bothered about the slugishness or dodgy camera but bluetooths a basic feature that I like using alot.
	Quote