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

FU510N

markymoo wrote: »

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".

That's disappointing, is it in any particular area's or all over?

FU510N

Mad101daN wrote: »

N97 Review.

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

Thanks for the link, we'll have a look

foxyuk

n97 failed the orange testing therefore are not stocking in near future

fiish

Maybe I'm just being cynical here about Orange, I think that they wanted to remove some features or change the homescreen (which is an advertised feature by Nokia) and Nokia didn't agree. Orange as far as I have observed like to cripple the phones they carry by removing features from software and replacing them with their own programs linking to charged services. And because they couldn't cripple the phone it has 'failed testing'. There is nothing illegal or unethical about this

For example, they removed the navigation app that Samsung built into the i8910 HD and wanted to replace it with their own service, and changed the homescreen to use their menu system as well.

Now that software is such a strong selling point, were I in Nokia's position I'd draw the line at making too many changes to the phone's software.

iceburn

I think you said the real reason Fiish, it is most reason for Orange not stocking / delay stocking phones in the past. But from other sites there have been reports of some minor bugs with N97, but saying that W995 got some, in fact nearly all new phones have bugs, one good reason to wait for a few months until one take a new phone out.

FU510N

fiish wrote: »

Maybe I'm just being cynical here about Orange, I think that they wanted to remove some features or change the homescreen (which is an advertised feature by Nokia) and Nokia didn't agree. Orange as far as I have observed like to cripple the phones they carry by removing features from software and replacing them with their own programs linking to charged services. And because they couldn't cripple the phone it has 'failed testing'. There is nothing illegal or unethical about this

For example, they removed the navigation app that Samsung built into the i8910 HD and wanted to replace it with their own service, and changed the homescreen to use their menu system as well.

Now that software is such a strong selling point, were I in Nokia's position I'd draw the line at making too many changes to the phone's software.

Firstly, thanks for the info :T

If that is true and they have messed up the phone with their own software would I get in trouble for putting the proper Nokia one on instead?

fiish

You're welcome.

My thoughts on Orange and the N97 are speculative, and the info on the i8910 being crippled was posted on AllAboutSymbian.com a few weeks back when one of their writers bought one.

If you buy a branded Nokia phone and debrand it Nokia will find out (they track all the firmware flashing performed with their software updater against an IMEI and if you have changed the product code from the one originally supplied) and deny you all warranty service.

just_about

FU510N wrote: »

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:

Mate from what i read in here 'orange' and 'O2' is not doing the N97 - well atleast for now, so that leaves you with this three options -

a. Vadafone contract

b. Three (3) contaract

c. Buy it sim free (Mind you it will cost u about £499, as of now)

So would still suggest you to go for vodafone, just purely because of their network capabilities being superior to that of three's. However if network is not an big issue (Mind you 3 has strong network in quite a lot of areas as it runs on a back up O2 network - which is like using the O2 network where there is no signal from 3's own network) then would say give three a try as they would no doubt be the cheapest, now which option to go for has to be dicided by you evaluating the points which i just stated

The deal which i got with three is

750 mins & 150 texts (don't use even those many texts)
Unlimited internet
50 free video calling minutes and 50 inclusive mms
£5 worth of downloads free each month
Free nokia N97
£21 a month (18 months contact) :T

Hope this helps and luck with your search !! Do keep us posted with the updates

just_about

FU510N wrote: »

Firstly, thanks for the info :T

If that is true and they have messed up the phone with their own software would I get in trouble for putting the proper Nokia one on instead?

Yes. As already said by the above user, you would loose the warranty, and nokia wouldn't touch the phone charge free :eek:

redkitty_3

I was dead-set on getting an N97 until a month or so ago. Even tried one out at the Carphone Warehouse at the weekend. It's ok, but I don't think Nokia have done enough to this phone to make it stand out in the current market, let alone if you're going to be locked into a contract for 24 months! :rolleyes:

For me, the Symbian OS is just inflexible now. I've had a hunt around and I'm waiting for the HTC Hero to be released as it looks amazing with the Android OS. I also don't need a slide-out keyboard thing..Shame really as I was a die-hard Nokia fan. HTC are doing a decent range of phones atm, might be worth your g/f checking their website out. Also check out deals from indies like mobiles.co.uk and dialaphone as their deals are way better than the big operators right now.

I'm also leaving o2 as their retention 'deals' (if that's what you can call them) stink! Used to be on Orange years ago so I wouldn't mind going back, but agree with Fish, I hate what they do to their handsets, including the horrible orange branding! Yuck! Whatever you do, no point staying on o2...:cool: