The Phones Show 83 (HTC Touch Pro 2 vs Nokia N97, Proporta)

[epgomez]

What I like about the N97 is the camera and flash. Symbian UI is terrible! HTC touch pro 2 has the best keyboard and HTC UI is one of the best. Win mobile is not an issue since symbian is also the same. Tons of free cool applications available on both platforms. If there's flash on the htc touch pro 2 I would prefer over the N97. How I wish symbian UI is cool. for me it depends on what you want.

[toteu0000]

Wtf... this is the most lame comparison between N97 and HTC touch pro 2 ever. I'm also a Symbian fan, i had all sorts of nokias ( 6600, n-gage, n-gage qd, 6680, e65, n95, n82, e71) . I think N97 is the most ugliest nokia yet, poor build quality and design, the OS i think was released premature etc. You seem just like Steve Jobs with his "new apple iPhone by apple"

[stevelitchfield]

I hear you all, but would say that both devices are heavily imperfect. But the N97's the better of the two, overall, in terms of what it can actually do - I used an N97 full time for 3 months to make the point.

[GadgetGirl1995]

Very biased review

[isokessu]

Btw that htc touchscreen phone is maybe the heaviest phone what i have seen in 7 years or something and it's pretty weak also but everything else is good in it

[isokessu]

that nokia 5530 (or something) is cheaper version of 5800 what have gps 3,5g etc... I guess usually some indians and chinese buy that cheaper version :l and if there's not 3g network or good gps connection in some place then gps and 3g isn't important

[Drae5]

dude i hear you but i had the n97 and i returned it after updating it and it was not worth the money. and sadly your just a symbian fan boy so thats why the n97 wins but for all othe tech junkies and phone reviewers the htc touch pro 2 is a far better device.

[OpulenceOfKnowledge]

Unlucky, I used to live in Reading.

I have an N97 but its driving me mad because its so slow. Is it worth taking it back and getting the htc touch pro 2?

[stevelitchfield]

Well, do update it first to v11 firmware? Might be faster etc.

[OpulenceOfKnowledge]

I have version 10.0.012 but when I try to update the device it will not connect.

[zeo99]

i updated my n97 n it's still slow but i wouldn't take the touch pro2 because win mo is kinda sloppy ...

[VerruckteBanane]

nokia rulez

[OranjeEINS]

I just discoverd this channel today and i think its great. It covers Nokia products very nicely, but i have the feeling the reviews are a little to biased.

[tomcane8]

Steve, not taking price into consideration, would you prefer the N86 or the N95 8GB?

[stevelitchfield]

Tough call, but n86 - just.

[BlakeVII]

Your comparison with the Pro 2 and the N97 was aliitle biased especially when you failed to mention that WinMobile is to be uprgraded to 6.5 very soon which is noticibly better. Even though you did acknowledge that the Pro2 is aimed more with communications in mind than camera quality you still went ahead and compared a 5MP to a 3MP camera anyway. Overall, I'm, sure the Pro2 gives the N97 tougher competition than just having a better keyboard. And the Pro2 IS ON SALE IN THE HIGH ST.

[stevelitchfield]

'Very Soon'? You mean in several months time? I'll revisit the device then if it happens on schedule. Touch Pro 2 on the High Street? Really? Haven't seen it so far here. Any particular distributors in the UK?

In fact, I don't really rate either TP2 or N97, I wouldn't recommend either at the moment.

[BlakeVII]

Saw Tpro2 and the Diamond 2 in the carphonewarehouse on display and available and that was 2 - 3 weeks ago along with the soon to be discontinued Sony Xperia (so I was told).

WinMob 6.5 released in the autumn(?) which is not very far from now. You can see examples of WinMob6.5 right here on youTube.

[stevelitchfield]

Will check my local branch. The Autumn though??? That's three MONTHS away, effectively!! Sorry, but I report on and review what's available *now*. I'll cover Windows Mobile 6.5 and upgrades when it happens.

[JeanDaPaul86]

Which phone do u use daily ?

[stevelitchfield]

Hard to decide. Currently using E75 though.

[aliyans]

Didn't you slam the E75 for having too many buttons and now you're using it as your primary phone?

[stevelitchfield]

Yes, but see my caveat video at the start of show 84.... It's still cramped and inelegant, but the draw of that qwerty keyboard is just sooo strong. Ideally, I'd like an N97-like device without a d-pad, i.e. with a full width qwerty.

[08cct353rajanh]

thanks for the pics and vid samples

[dorisallplus]

This is slightly off but what is the track playing in the beginning of the video ?

[stevelitchfield]

See the end credits for the composer!

[emkwan]

Great reviews as always. Any recomendations on how I can improve my video reviews?!

[stevelitchfield]

Main tips? Keep the camera steady. And script things where possible - you'll find you can put in twice as much info and precision per minute - my show put in a quantum leap in quality when I switched to scripted reviews and features about two years ago. And watch the lighting - more light=better (usually).

[SEXYR68]

I dont think the Touch Pro 2 is a disappointment now the 3GS is a disappointment i have it and regret buying it im canceling my contract with at&t tomorrow and buying this phone i've play around with it and its way way WAY better then the iPhone 3GS so on July 22 im getting it from T-Mobile :D yup well i think your review was not all quite helpful it looks like you trying to make both phones sound bad and thats not kool but ehh thats your opinion and i have mina which are totally different.

[stevelitchfield]

Why is it not 'cool' to be honest about the fact that I find both a disappointment?

[emmx06]

I've been waiting for HTC Pro 2 for a long time but it is not worth after watching your video. Now i'm thinking N97 or N86. What do you think? Thank You!

[stevelitchfield]

Honestly? None of the above. Quite frustrating that there simply isn't a perfect device out there for me. Or for you. Gah!

[tomcane8]

Is the N86 not a good phone?

[stevelitchfield]

Yes, but a bit old fashioned. Which in itself can be good.... All depends.

[zorkor]

i agree with you steve...

[DavidFriedman1]

Psions had tiny keyboards that were actually typable. How do the N97 and Touch Pro 2 compare?

Later I had a Nokia 9300, then bought bought an E90 and sent it back. One of the things I use my pda for is reading books and light editing. The E90 took forever to open a book length file and could only have one open at a time--unlike my 9300.

Is this still true of the current version of S60?

[stevelitchfield]

You mean a Word file? These are handled by Quickword on the E90 and E75, for example and yes, it's not as fast as Psion Word used to be. Sigh. Anyone up for a Nokia 9500/9300i revival?

[DavidFriedman1]

Can the E90 have multiple book length documents open at once in its word processor? My 9300 could.

It was a nice machine. But what I really want is for Psion to license the magic spell that made their keyboards work to HTC or Nokia or ..., and the licensee to make a 3G cell phone at something close to Revo size. That gives you a pocket machine that is really a functional computer--with its own internet connection.

[djyxu]

well there is a local store that imports the phones and thats were i got it from. Wish me luck when and see if they will exchange for the Omnia HD. The omnia HD is the better choice right? I really want a touch with a good camera. I think its the best bet =D. Sigh I just didn't this the N97 would have been this much of a let down.

[djyxu]

Steve, I bought the N97.... i'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit disappointed =(. Its too late to return it. I should of gotten the Omnia HD... you wanna help me feel better about my decision of getting the N97? :'(

[stevelitchfield]

Not really. I spent most of show 82 telling you all how I was a bit disappointed in it too. 8-) Did you not watch?

Here, in show 83, it's only relative. The N97 is a bit better than the Touch Pro 2 in most (but not all) areas, but it's still not in my 'Top 5', as you'll have spotted. Current favourites are Nokia N86, E75 and iPhone 3GS, all for different reasons! 8-)

[Temporaryaccount2]

Lol at your desperate attempts to boost symbian os

[stevelitchfield]

Desperate? Que? Why would I need to 'boost' the overwhelming worldwide leader? Last time I looked, Symbian OS powered around half the smartphones in the world. Also, Nokia dominate the smartphone scene in most of the world too, and they're usually the devices that most excite me. But I do try and feature Windows Mobile and iPhone to the right proportion. Must grab some Android phones too.... [memo to self]

[olli8977]

well i did N95 and i have now htc pro2 so.. :)

[arjunmenon]

Steve... Why no reviews of Sony Ericsson mobiles apart from the mention of C905 in your Top 5? Are they doing that bad in UK? Also your advice needed. Should business people go for a Nokia E72, Nokia E90 or Blackberry Tour? Your thoughts.

[stevelitchfield]

Yes, S-E have been sinking for a while now... Business? Yes, hold on for an E72. Or get an E75 - that's growing on me.... 8-) [see spot in show 84, coming soon....]

[pachinko1972]

Steve said "Symbian OS the most advance OS in the world." What a load of crap. Thats why Nokia is losing market share.

[stevelitchfield]

No, you've misunderstood. Symbian OS is the most advanced mobile OS (i.e. the underlying real time operating system). Nothing to do with the S60 interface. Or at least I split the two in my review script. Please go back and listen again.

[Petri87]

Nokia might be loosing market share but they still have over two times the market share then their closest competator that is Samsung i believe. Also Symbian OS is the most used mobile OS in the world by an insane margine and whit it being the most advanced OS has nothing to do whit its popularity. The most popular device or os isnt always the most advanced one(in symbians case it is). Look at game consols, the Wii is the most popular home console in the world but its also the least advanced.

[alaing78]

Thanks for the review in your opinion what would you get the I phone 3gs or the n97 I trust your reviews thank you

[stevelitchfield]

Tough call!

[stevelitchfield]

Well, it's good, but it's nowhere near perfect. See the previous show! It's all relative, you know!

[Str8isis]

That N97 is SWEET! Thanx for the review!

[wideheadofknowledge]

"One for your mum or sister perhaps?"

Come on, Steve! Totally unacceptable misogyny.

Maybe it would have been much more realistic to say "One for the less geeky, perhaps?"

[stevelitchfield]

Did I say that? I thought it was 'Mum or daughter'? Anyway, guess I'll have to apologise either way.....? 8-)

[GunnerKalashnikova]

i agree with Multikdizzle about the S60 interface looking old. For the uninitiated consumer buying a high end smart phone i dont think the OS's reputations are going to matter a lot them, what will sway them is the overall experience the phone gives them and judging from actual videos of the 2 phones in use the Touch Pro 2 wins. I would have loved to see you do the comparisons of them performing everyday smart phone functions which would give us a better idea of the responsiveness of the OSs

[stevelitchfield]

To be honest, neither of the two flagships inspired me. The N97 is the best of the two for mass market use, but neither have the appeal they should have. I'm *really* hard to please, it seems.

[rufysufy]

that promo for symbian was genius XD. hope the new OS is as fun as the vids look

[Izzard]

Finally rescued my SMS-loving wife from her dying HTC TyTN and she got a Nokia E63 on my suggestion (she's not bothered about HSDPA or GPS). It's her first Symbian phone...I think she's going to love it. Three do the E63 free with unlimited texts, web/e-mail for £15/month.

[garvintimmann]

if there is an n99 then i will get that

[themanwhoknew]

Will you be reviewing the E72?

[stevelitchfield]

But of course. Not arriving here for a couple of months though...

[PoetryRocksAlot]

You better get your hands on an Xperia X2 and compare to Touch Pro 2 or something else

[stevelitchfield]

Yes, looking forward to the X2's keyboard!!!

[MultiKdizzle]

what, exactly is a magnetic "tiddy". also, steve you don;t need to be afraid of saying "sexy" it's fine. ANd lastly, nice review of Touch Pro2, but i have to ssay i am tiring of how the symbian interface is getting so old looking. It is immature, yet it looks aged in light of all the competitor's sleek UI plug ins for winmo (OmniaII, Jet, android, touchwiz, etc...)

[madluko]

I'm glad to see you are finding sponsors i love the show and hope it continues. Cheers I didn,t know an E72 was coming so soon i look forwards to a review. I love my E71 just would like a better camera

[Findoloo]

who uses belt clips.... realy nobody does haha

[PoetryRocksAlot]

construction workers do you turd

[adtrea]

Great show, Steve. I've been looking for a phone case, now I know where to get a good one :p, also can't wait for show 84.