HELP: O2 or Orange? + Is the N97 "all that"?

FU510N

Hi all, just a quick one to get opinions...

My gf is just coming up to her final month of an 18 month contract with O2, however they have pushed all of their tariff's up in cost and their range of phones is currently appalling!

They used to be brilliant but since they have got the iPhone they appear to have just ignored the rest of the market. Regardless they are still the best as far as network coverage and customer service goes, so it would be a real shame to have to leave them...

That said, she has fallen in love with the N97 after we looked at countless videos and reviews online and then tested it in a few shops today. We have been told O2 aren't going to stock it though and when it is available on O2 through the Carphone Warehouse/Phones4U that it will a lot more expensive than through other networks.

So after looking at the numerous deals available on Vodafone and Orange she managed to narrow it down to Orange due to their more reliable reputation. The whole "second thoughts" thing is setting in now though as she doesn't want to leave O2 and is worried Orange will be awful.

Its a 24 month contract after all so there is a reason to be cautious lol!

Another worry is if the N97 is really worth £40+ pm? Is ALL THAT hype justified?


So, to clarify....

• Is Orange actually any good?
• Is the N97 worth getting?

Any help is greatly appreciated :T

just_about

FU510N wrote: »

Hi all, just a quick one to get opinions...

My gf is just coming up to her final month of an 18 month contract with O2, however they have pushed all of their tariff's up in cost and their range of phones is currently appalling!

They used to be brilliant but since they have got the iPhone they appear to have just ignored the rest of the market. Regardless they are still the best as far as network coverage and customer service goes, so it would be a real shame to have to leave them...

That said, she has fallen in love with the N97 after we looked at countless videos and reviews online and then tested it in a few shops today. We have been told O2 aren't going to stock it though and when it is available on O2 through the Carphone Warehouse/Phones4U that it will a lot more expensive than through other networks.

So after looking at the numerous deals available on Vodafone and Orange she managed to narrow it down to Orange due to their more reliable reputation. The whole "second thoughts" thing is setting in now though as she doesn't want to leave O2 and is worried Orange will be awful.

Its a 24 month contract after all so there is a reason to be cautious lol!

Another worry is if the N97 is really worth £40+ pm? Is ALL THAT hype justified?


So, to clarify....

• Is Orange actually any good?
• Is the N97 worth getting?

Any help is greatly appreciated :T

First of all can tell you that the N97 is an awesome phone. Have been using it over a week now, and have been really happy with it, there is no end that you can do with it, personally i think it's better than the iphone and just not hyped, although the touch screen could have been a wee bit better, but it is really really good all the same, and the camera and the screen res even in direct sunlight is quite good.

Can't tell you about orange as have got it as an upgrade with 3 (got an unbelievable offer) and my other contract is with O2 which is with the E71.

However my girlfriend was with orange, and their network and customer service seemed all rite, and they can be pretty good with the upgrades too.

Hope this helps:beer:

P.S. If network isn't really an issue, and if you want it cheap every month with a free phone can give 3 a try.

iceburn

Other option is buy the Nokia N97 sim free or get it on a lowest contract possible, and put the O2 contract into sim only. Might work out cheaper and have the flexibitiy of being able to change network / tariff in the future if required. But biggest advantage is the Nokia phone firmware wont be !!!!!! up by the network. Like I think it was either Orange or Vodafone (or even both) disabling VOIP client on the N95 last time round (have they done it again?)

WolfSong2000

I am currently with Orange and wouldn't recommend them to anyone - had nothing but problems!!!

fsrandom

Buy the N97 sim free, it'll cost less than a legnthy contract and you can stay on O2.

M4RKM

I've got my work phone/SIM on orange, and wouldn't never use them personally, I'm driving in a full signal area, and I still get dropped calls..

I'm not going to comment on the N97, as I don't think it is "all that".

Mad101daN

N97 Review.

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/06/24/review_phone_nokia_n97/

Verdict

Nevertheless the N97 sort of scrapes by, for now. It's fast and responsive, the worst bugs will are certain to be fixed, and the most violently ugly parts of the user experience will be quietly thrown overboard. That leaves an OK iPlayer, an OK music player, and a phone. Put the N97 against the iPhone or the Pre, and the comparison isn't flattering, but put it against another subsidised midrange offering, and it might find a loyal customer. ®

FU510N

just_about wrote: »

First of all can tell you that the N97 is an awesome phone. Have been using it over a week now, and have been really happy with it, there is no end that you can do with it, personally i think it's better than the iphone and just not hyped, although the touch screen could have been a wee bit better, but it is really really good all the same, and the camera and the screen res even in direct sunlight is quite good.

Can't tell you about orange as have got it as an upgrade with 3 (got an unbelievable offer) and my other contract is with O2 which is with the E71.

However my girlfriend was with orange, and their network and customer service seemed all rite, and they can be pretty good with the upgrades too.

Hope this helps:beer:

P.S. If network isn't really an issue, and if you want it cheap every month with a free phone can give 3 a try.

Its good to hear from a "real person" that its holding up to its reputation

What deal did you get with 3? Every one we have seen has been pretty unremarkable... Plus they don't exactly have a great reputation

Everything I hear about Orange seems to be at opposite ends of the scale, either "AVOID at ALL costs!" or "Brilliant Customer Service and Great signal" :huh:

FU510N

iceburn wrote: »

Other option is buy the Nokia N97 sim free or get it on a lowest contract possible, and put the O2 contract into sim only. Might work out cheaper and have the flexibitiy of being able to change network / tariff in the future if required. But biggest advantage is the Nokia phone firmware wont be !!!!!! up by the network. Like I think it was either Orange or Vodafone (or even both) disabling VOIP client on the N95 last time round (have they done it again?)

Buying the phone outright is out of the question im afraid, its waaaaay too expensive, lol! :eek:

FU510N

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

I am currently with Orange and wouldn't recommend them to anyone - had nothing but problems!!!

What kind of problems?

FU510N

fsrandom wrote: »

Buy the N97 sim free, it'll cost less than a legnthy contract and you can stay on O2.

But you have to shell out for it all at once