N97 - Anyone know when it lands in SA?

OverKill69

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Hey everyone!

It's that time again!
It just so happens that my contract is up for renewal.

So now I'm looking at which handset to upgrade to.

I've thought long and hard about this because of the recent hysteria with the iPhone (the phone to end all phones) and all the insane handsets that have been coming out recently.
I've tried to be as objective and as methodical as possible in deciding which guy to go for... I've had beer inspired discussions with mates and fiery "fanbooi" knocking sessions with strangers with this topic over the last month and a bit.

So i thought... Let me broaden the discussion on this forum.

Primarily, I'm looking for info... but feel free to flame, knock and destroy one another :p

My needs as a cellular user. (besides the obvious in a phone)

1) Must be able to send/receive email.
2) Must be able to view attachments.
3) Must be robust and reliable.
4) Must be PC interactive. Contacts, calender and so forth.

What I "would like" from my new phone

1) A decent battery life... one that would not require charging during the day. An average day being:
making 15-20 calls a day, receiving about the same. Sending/receiving email approx 10 times a day. The odd 5min web page check to get info and maybe a 15min navigation session... a typical work day.
My current phone requires charging (via car charger) on a busy day.

2) I text and email often from my phone because I'm away from my computer most of the day... a QWERTY keyboard would be nice. I enjoyed it on my K-JAM a few years back... was quite a chore to go back to an alpha-numeric keyboard after that.

3) The "essential" media capabilities... a few MP3's, not too fussy about the camera and video. All that stuff is pretty much std now.
Although... i must say... having the standard "mini-jack" audio jack for the hands-free is AWESOME. I definitely cannot go back to a phone that doesn't have this.

4) Mustn't be HUGE. Like I said... I ran around with a K-JAM for a while :sick:

5) Ideally... the transition between my current phone (Nokia N95) and the new one must be as painless as possible.

-------------------

My conclusions:

1) I'll probably stick with Nokia... I'm used to them now and I've amassed a gazillion useful little programs that make life so much easier. I know Blackberry and SonyErricson make awesome phones too... but I've decided to stick with what I've become used to.

2) N85... perfect replacement for the N95... but I'd like to move to a QWERTY keyboard phone.

3) E73... played with one of my friend's... its cool... but the buttons are microscopic! try keying in a number while in the car... My insurance will disown me!

4) 5800... nope. stylus' are so 90's :p

so... it comes down to a showdown between 2 phones.
The E75 or the N97.

I've made inquiries into the E75 with my service provider. A R1800 pay in on contract is not too bad for that kind of phone (even though you could get a laptop for the standalone cash price)
but...
Before I commit...
When is the N97 coming out in SA?
I've read the write ups on it and I see that the battery life is 1/3 longer than the E75 and the screen is quite a lot bigger.
I know that the E75 is a leaner, less flash version of the N97 (no touchscreen, not a "N" Series) but that extra battery life is hell of attractive. Not to mention the fact that I've amassed all this N-series software with my current model phone...

See my dilemma?

When is the N97 coming?
How much will it cost on a contract?
Will the extra cost (above the E75) justify the extra dingle berries?
Is it worth the wait?

Anyone in the know... well.... know anything?
 
Well... that's all good... I like your idea of hype.

But I'd still like anyone with any info to give an idea of arrival date and approximate cost.

should I wait for this bad guy or should I get the E75?
 
Hmmm...
Judging from people saying that the E75 was released MONTHS ago in their countries... and It's not even "Officially" on the upgrade list here yet...

I think It'll be a while still before the N97 is available... maybe 2-3 months.

------------------

If the E75 is R1800 pay in on a "Talk 500" or equivalent... how much do you guys rate the N97 will be?
R4000 pay in?
R5000 pay in?

I'm quite scared of the answer actually since it is the supposed "iPhone, Crackberry and GooglePhone killer rolled into one".
Killers are expensive these days :p
 
ur probably looking at a late june to early july 09 release ... n95 was released in SA roughly same time as europe ...
 
Ya u better wait Ballistic if u can ... pay in will defnitely fall to R1K or less in 2 to 3 months ... was the same story with n95 ...
 
Sweet, I will now forward my choice to our admin dept. Hopefully they wont mind that huge pay in. They said I can choose any phone, so I will wait and see.
 
Price list not making sense, the n95 is more expensive than the n97.

On Anytime 750, N97 is R2485, the n95, R3099, xperia R3077

specials!!!!!!!

have you tried an htc. the touch diamond is amazing, awesome tf3d. Ive been using it for 6 months now and It still rocks. Getting the n97 next week as a prize otherwise i wouldnt see myself changing handsets for a looooong time.
 
Nokia N97 Imports

CaCell.co.za for R14,999
http://www.cacell.co.za/nokia-n97-p-745.html

Have2Have (Imports from Hong Kong) for R9,114.25
http://www.have2have.co.za/product/Nokia-N97-32GB-White-QWERTY/88924/

It is retailing in the US currently for between $600 and $699. If local resellers want to make a 140% + the normal markup, they are seriously missing the boat. I would love to have a N97, but for R14 000 (US$1,743.70 at the current rate), one can buy a very nice laptop.

Hopefully the local resellers will come to their senses, otherwise one could rather wait till stock levels settle and order an unlocked one from the US or UK for half the price.
 
Price list not making sense, the n95 is more expensive than the n97.

On Anytime 750, N97 is R2485, the n95, R3099, xperia R3077

I agree - you can buy a N95 new, cash for less than it costs on a MTN200 package from autopage.

Then again, autopage has never been known for realistic pricing or value for money. I wonder how many people they still take for a ride every month?
 
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