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

Foxy12345

redkitty wrote: »

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:

I am with you on this one, I also was waiting for the N97 but having tried it at the weekend will wait a bit longer for the HTC hero, do you know of any sites which might be of interest o me regarding this?

Thanks
Foxy

baldyj

Mad101daN wrote: »

N97 Review.

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

Also see http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n97-review-363.php

Final words

It's an Nseries device we are talking about and we can't complain about looks. How's that for a nice start? Now seriously, the Nseries are back on track and we don't mean that as a mere comparison to the misfiring N96. All-in-one is the game and the N97 is ready to take charge of the Nokia multimedia squad. It has an arsenal full of (almost) all contemporary high-end weapons and Symbian smartness securing its rear.
Nseries used to stand for the ultimate in mobile technology but evolution has seen to it that if you want all the top features you're not to find them in a single device. And as things are these days - not in the Nseries. The best touch interface is elsewhere, higher-res WVGA screens are found elsewhere as well, there are better places to look for HD videos, and for 12 megapixel snapshots - you get our drift...
There was a time when being top of the Nseries pretty much equaled top of the whole affair. Well, no more - and it definitely isn't simply the N97's fault. We guess the Nokia Nseries need to come to terms with the evolving market, much like the Series 60 5th still need some time to come to terms with touchscreen. That's not necessarily bad news though. The news is never good or bad, it's what you make of it.
But there's no need to be too smart. Here's what we mean. Remember Nokia N95 and its 8GB offshoot? Well then, no need to tell you it used to be the sum of all fears. That's some weight to carry for its successors! No wonder the N96 crumbled. Well, the N97 is not crumbling; it just inherits a changed world.
All right, if that's how things are on the mobile market, we guess the Nokia N97 needs to have a lot of guts to get to grips with its inheritance and do its thing on top. And, here's another newsflash: the N97 does that alright. If a device can stand its ground against potent rivals like HTC Touch Pro2 and Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1, it can hardly be wrong. Not to mention the bold newcomer Samsung B7610 OmniaPRO. So, the latest Nseries flagship is not a royalty but a focused and capable handset with a firm foot in the segment of smart QWERTY touchscreen all-in-ones. The ultimate device as we knew it is dead, Nseries live on.

FU510N

Im somewhat confused as to what I should advise the gf now, I know she loves the phone but that was purely from some videos and a quick blast in a couple of shops. If its way too buggy/faulty she will regret it and be tied into a 2 year contract she hates...

She doesn't really like anything else out there and refuses to use any phone running Windows Mobile due to the untold amount of flaws with my O2 XDA Ignito (HTC Touch Diamond)

The only other option is the iPhone which she really isn't keen on, however it has much less problems and would mean she gets to stay on O2....



Thoughts?

Streeet

OK here goes:

2 year contract?? Is that really neccessary. I've always been prepared to pay a few quid more a month to stick with 12 months.
My theory: after 12 months tariffs improve, technology evolves and I get more chances to barter with the mobile companies for my business!!

Orange: I have been an Orange customer for probably 10ish years. Customer services have always been great. Service has been very good. I travel the length of the east coast regularly and some spots around Northampton are patchy.. but I drop a call.. I phone back and Orange credit me the money for the drop! (It's a mobile.. thats what happens sometimes..)

Biggest plus for me was the coverage for data traffic. I have a 2G iPhone which still out performs the 3GS on O2. Tested it numerous times side by side. Thats the main reason I haven't upgraded.
I believe Three (and possibly O2) also piggyback off the Orange network when they are out of coverage.

Ultimatley everyone gets comfortable with their level of service or has different experiences..

I can't speak for the N series.. I'm out of contract next month and am starting to appreciate the frustration of phone choice... (Out of interest against my better judgement, the blackberry seems to be gaining alot of popularity with non business users these days..)

Just my 2p worth

fiish

Streeet wrote: »

Orange: I have been an Orange customer for probably 10ish years. Customer services have always been great. Service has been very good. I travel the length of the east coast regularly and some spots around Northampton are patchy.. but I drop a call.. I phone back and Orange credit me the money for the drop! (It's a mobile.. thats what happens sometimes..)

Biggest plus for me was the coverage for data traffic. I have a 2G iPhone which still out performs the 3GS on O2. Tested it numerous times side by side. Thats the main reason I haven't upgraded.
I believe Three (and possibly O2) also piggyback off the Orange network when they are out of coverage.

Agree, O2 data coverage and speeds seem poor compared to other networks, and for those of us on 2G iPhones the (lack of) speed on O2's EDGE network is quite telling, if you get EDGE coverage at all.

Three do 2G roaming on the Orange network, and O2 do not. O2 have very good GSM coverage for voice calls, I find, just not as good for data links as you have said. Even Three do avoid using Orange's network where possible, and from the Ofcom maps recently released it would appear that they have the best 3G coverage of all the networks we can choose from (as far as outdoors coverage is concerned anyway).

fergies_army

Two weeks ago I changed from O2 to Orange after 7 years with O2 as it appeared they no longer wanted my business i.e. all the rubbish retention offers.

I looked at the N97 and did really want it however Nokia's tend to have a few issues/bugs on their initial release, and looking at it instores I went off it. I was desperate for a new phone as mine had died and was using a really old nokia so went for the HTC TOUCH HD on Orange. Absolutly love the phone, had a Iphone for 2 weeks which i borrowed whilst my brother was out of the country and think the HTC is far better (guess down to the old Windows v Apple debate!!).

As for Orange got a good contract deal (18mnths, £25 per month, unlimited txt, 600 mins & data bundle). Customer service was great when porting my number and signal was ok in deepest darkest wales where my gf parents lives.

Best move every made leaving O2.

Reeves

fergies_army wrote: »

Two weeks ago I changed from O2 to Orange after 7 years with O2 as it appeared they no longer wanted my business i.e. all the rubbish retention offers.

I looked at the N97 and did really want it however Nokia's tend to have a few issues/bugs on their initial release, and looking at it instores I went off it. I was desperate for a new phone as mine had died and was using a really old nokia so went for the HTC TOUCH HD on Orange. Absolutly love the phone, had a Iphone for 2 weeks which i borrowed whilst my brother was out of the country and think the HTC is far better (guess down to the old Windows v Apple debate!!).

As for Orange got a good contract deal (18mnths, £25 per month, unlimited txt, 600 mins & data bundle). Customer service was great when porting my number and signal was ok in deepest darkest wales where my gf parents lives.

Best move every made leaving O2.

How did you get the HTC Touch HD on Orange? I have checked their site and cannot find it - let alone at that price!

fergies_army

Reeves wrote: »

How did you get the HTC Touch HD on Orange? I have checked their site and cannot find it - let alone at that price!

Via mobiles.co.uk .... their HTC Touch HD's are unlocked so will work with any network, they supplied to myself with Orange 3G sim. Orange dont supply said phone direct.
Plus £40 cashback via quidico.

Their offers have changed I think on the 1st, they were offering £10 per month off line rental (not cashback), e.g. £35 tariff for £25 etc.