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Nokia N96 vs Nokia N97

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NokiaN96NokiaN97
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2008June 2009
Display
Screen size2.8″3.5″
Resolution320 × 240640 × 360
Sharpness143 pixels per inch210 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Display type2.8-inch QVGA screen; GSMArena identifies TFT LCD with 16 million colours. No maker refresh-rate figure established.3.5-inch TFT LCD, 640 × 360, up to 16 million colours; resistive touch input with optional stylus. No maker refresh-rate or peak-brightness figure published.
Performance
ChipDual ARM9 264 MHz (GSMArena)ARM11 434 MHz (GSMArena)
Memory128 MB128 MB
Storage16 GB32 GB
Memory16 GB mass storage is separate from phone/system memory. GSMArena publishes 128 MB RAM, used in configs; All About Symbian reports about 46 MB free after boot, not installed capacity. Its tested phone/system C drive has 85 MB free; neither free-space figure replaces advertised mass storage.32 GB built-in mass storage from maker sheet. 128 MB installed RAM and 434 MHz ARM11 CPU from GSMArena’s full production review. All About Symbian’s later v 21 test reports only 10–15 MB free on the separate C: system partition after use; this is not total RAM or the 32 GB mass-storage capacity.
Storage typeBuilt-in mass storage and microSD slot. Maker launch describes an optional 8 GB microSDHC MU-43 card giving 24 GB total; no hypothetical card maximum treated as a maker specification.microSD expansion up to 16 GB from original maker sheet. Original up-to 48 GB marketing total includes the removable card, not 48 GB built-in storage.
Cameras
Main camera5 MP5 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Main camera5 MP autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash/video light. GSMArena reports 2592 × 1944 stills and 5.2 mm marked focal length. No physical lens cover.5 MP autofocus Carl Zeiss Tessar, F2.8,5.4 mm physical focal length, dual LED flash/video light and sliding lens cover. Launch sheet 2584 ×1938 still matrix conflicts with 2592 ×1944 in exact issue 5 owner guide and production review; guide matrix identified as later exact-model evidence.
Front cameraSecondary front camera for video calls; GSMArena identifies VGA, without an inferred megapixel figure.Secondary front camera for video calling, confirmed in owner guide; no headline megapixel figure inferred. AAS reports 176 ×122 in its v 21 review, without treating that as a maker sensor specification.
Video recordingVGA video at up to 30 fps in GSMArena’s production review; maker announcement confirms 30 fps without treating “DVD-like” marketing as a resolution.Maker sheet specifies VGA 640 ×480 MPEG-4 at up to 30 fps. AAS later test records 640 ×360 at 29 fps; recording modes/settings differ. No HD or optical zoom claimed.
Camera featuresLocation tagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation, ISO selection, sharpness, contrast and colour effects; exact guide distinguishes temporary setup from persistent main settings.Two-stage shutter key, sliding lens cover, geotagging, scene settings, white balance, ISO and exposure compensation. No transferred N86 variable aperture or mechanical-shutter claim.
Battery and charging
Battery950 mAh1,500 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)–Up to 4.5 hours
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detailRemovable BL-5F confirmed by RM-247 guide; 950 mAh is reported independently by GSMArena and All About Symbian. No unpublished launch talk/standby figures copied from N95. Contemporary test endurance remains attributed in reviews.Removable BP-4L 1500 mAh. Original maker sheet maxima:320 minutes 3G or 400 minutesGSM talk,400 hours 3G or 430 hoursGSM standby,4.5 hours offline video or 37 hours offline music. GSMArena cites later 6/9.5-hour talk and 408/432-hour standby figures; differing launch claims are qualified rather than combined.
Wired chargingSeparate charger connector and micro-USB data socket. GSMArena confirms no USB charging; RM-247 guide specifies compatible AC-5 mains charger.Micro-USB charging with simultaneous data transfer confirmed by exact owner guide; no maker charging wattage published.
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight125 g150 g
Thickness18 mm15.9 mm
Height × width103 × 55 mm117.2 × 55.3 mm
Weight detailGSMArena quotes 125 g and 103 × 55 × 18 mm; those structured required figures use its exact-model production review because original maker datasheet mirror is blocked. All About Symbian describes 17 mm thickness; source difference retained.Maker body dimensions 117.2 ×55.3 ×15.9 mm; camera area reaches 18.25 mm. Headline retains the main body thickness.
ButtonsDual slider reveals numeric keypad or media/game controls. Front media keys, scroll control, menu/multimedia shortcuts, camera/volume controls and top keylock switch. All About Symbian confirms prototype Navi wheel was disabled in production; generic FP2 review paragraphs suggesting it remains active are excluded.Slide-and-tilt three-row QWERTY keyboard with directional pad on the left and space key on the right. Numeric/symbol input uses modifiers. Physical menu, volume and capture controls, touch call/end keys and screen-lock slider.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo loudspeakers and rear folding stand for hands-free video viewing. DVB-H receiver requires compatible local services; original guide specifies SIM and subscription/coverage conditions.Built-in stereo speakers; FM radio with RDS and FM transmitter confirmed by production review and owner guide. Transmitter availability is regional; the guide qualifies permitted countries.
Software
Operating systemSymbianSymbian
Software featuresS60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 on Symbian OS 9.3, as identified in full reviews. Original music/video/Photos software, FM radio with RDS, Internet Radio, N-Gage, document viewers and web browser. Historical regional BBC iPlayer widget and online-service support are described as launch-era features.Symbian OS9.4/S60 5th Edition with configurable homescreen widgets, document viewers and original Ovi services. GSMArena tests launch firmware; AAS’s March 2010 month-long v 21 test still finds RAM/system-partition constraints and instability. Original N-Gage/service availability and later updates are not assumed universal or usable today.
Release detailOriginal maker announcement dated 11 February 2008 planned Q3 shipping. Issuer’s 3 September notice announces availability and says first shipments have started; September retained without treating notice date as exact worldwide first retail. Regional retail timing differs. Maker says N96 builds on N95’s success, without an explicit direct replacement link.Announced 2 December 2008 with first-half 2009 shipping planned. Maker 2 June 2009 article states sales in 75 countries duringJune without exact worldwide day; actual 19 June article confirms UK shop debut. June retained without substituting the UK day for worldwide first sale. No maker-supported direct predecessor link established.
Connectivity
Mobile networkGSMArena exact model table lists GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 900/2100 with HSDPA. Separate N96-3 regional 850/1900 WCDMA bands are not combined into the European record.Original maker sheet: GSM850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA900/1900/2100 with HSDPA. Exact guide identifies European RM-505; regional American variants remain separate and are not combined into the European band list.
Wi-FiIEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network sharing; exact RM-247 guide documents infrastructure/ad hoc modes and media sharing.IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home networking, from maker datasheet; no inferred Wi-Fi generation beyond the stated standards.
BluetoothBluetooth 2.0; exact RM-247 guide lists A2DP, AVRCP, imaging, printing, dial-up networking, file transfer, hands-free, headset, HID, object push, SIM access, synchronisation, serial-port and phonebook-access profiles.Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR with A2DP/AVRCP stereo audio, hands-free/headset, dial-up networking, file transfer, imaging, phonebook access and remote SIM profiles confirmed in exact guide.
USBHi-Speed USB 2.0 data via micro-USB. Nokia AV 3.5 mm connector serves compatible wired headphones and CA-75U TV-out cable; separate mains charging connector.Micro-USB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data/charging and 3.5 mm Nokia AV socket for compatible headphones and PAL/NTSC TV-out.
PositioningIntegrated GPS and assisted GPS with historical Nokia Maps navigation. Launch navigation subscriptions and retired online services are not promised as current services.GPS, assisted GPS and electronic compass. Launch sheet says navigation may need separate purchase; GSMArena’s original Maps 2.0 Touch package had a three-month trial, while AAS later v 21 review tests updated Ovi Maps. These are historical software/licence states, not promised current services.

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