Nokia N97 Mini Doesn’t Suffer from iPhone 4 Reception Issues, Despite Apple’s Claims

Home > News > Nokia N97 Mini Doesn’t Suffer from iPhone 4 Reception Issues, Despite Apple’s Claims

By Phil Barker on July 22,

2010 at 00:00,

nokia-n97-mini-doesn't-suffer-from-reception-issues-front Ever since issues with reception on the Apple iPhone 4 cropped up, Apple and its fans have been trying to dig themselves out of the hole by dragging other manufacturers in with them – such as accusing Nokia of suffering from similar problems. Pointing out that the Nokia N97 Mini also has major reception issues is a step too far, however, as we show after the break…

When Steve Jobs tried to point out ‘defects’ suffered by other manufacturers, in a bid to make the Apple iPhone 4 look better, we figured that the rather terse statements from Nokia, Samsung and RIM would be the end of it.

Since then, however, details have popped up ‘revealing’ that the Nokia N97 Mini suffers from the exact same problem as the Apple iPhone 4 – a claim that we think is a load of rubbish.

Thankfully, we have a Nokia N97 Mini on hand to put the claims to the test, and as you can see reception remained excellent even when holding the handset in exactly the same grip shown by Apple.

The fact that call quality remained perfect at all times is something that puts the Nokia N97 Mini a mile apart from its rival from Apple. When completely covering the base from all sides, we managed to get the handset to drop a further bar - but again this didn't affect the ability to make calls, other than the fact it was incredibly uncomfortable and looks stupid.

We’d like to hear what you think, however. Do you have a Nokia N97 Mini and have you ever suffered from reception issues because of the way you hold it? Leave a comment below and let us know if so.

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Fred Yazbeck

Apple iPhone 4 is the best
Stewie

Indeed.

Apple had not even charged their N97 mini. It probably was about to switch off.

Furthermore They were squeezing it like maniacs, and STILL couldn’t drop all bars. Two are enough to maintain a phone call. An iPhone, when HELD NORMALLY with the lightest of grips, can lose signal all together.

It’s yet another low blow for Jobs. Despicable.
Matt

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought that the issue with the iPhone4 reception was caused by the two metal strips on the lower-left side being connected by the hand. If this is not the case, then why would peoples’ suggestions of sticky tape over the offending area solve the problem?

Where is Apple’s evidence of other manufacturers’ reception problems when parts of the outer casing are simply touched?

If you physically block the signal on ANY phone of course the signal strength will drop!
Scy

Dear Matt,

Because human tissue, like skin or hand, is conducting electricity whereas ductape or any other plastic is not – instead ductape is isolator in this case preventing human contact to connect the Apple iPhone4 antennas, thus fixing the problem that way. I hope that helped understanding the issue
Kennyboy

Just dropped my n97mini into store for second time. Its only 3 months old and is without doubt, the worst phone I’ve ever owned. It has had a software upgrade and had the aerial replaced, made no difference. Drops all my calls and never has amore than 2 bars of reception. A big let down as far as I’m concerned.
Marc

My N97 has massive connection issues. Drops at least 2 bars of reception when you pick it up. At home it sits with 1 bar of reception on a 3.5g network and as soon as I answer a incoming call it drops the call, and then takes a minute on average to switch to the 3g network. Means that i have to constantly call people back.

On a side note, I’m lucky to get 24 hours battery life and thats without using GPS or excessive internet, using the camera regularly crashes the phone, and the phone every few days becomes slow and unresponsive, requiring the battery to be removed. Not the worst phone ever, but some very annoying bugs.
xynab

its been more than a year that m using n97mini nd neva faced a problem lyk wat u people r talking about… just got my software upgraded few days back…. nd other than that it neva dropped a call and signals nd have superb camera results…. i thnk nokia phns r the best… espcly n-series
Paul

Seems N97 has this problem, N97 mini does not. Could be due to aerial placement. My nokia X6 and my previous satio both have this problem and its a pain. You try texting 2 handed and the signal dies! I tried an I phone 4 in apple store and was less of a problem with the iphone than my X6! No such problem on N95 8GB I got cos I was so fed up of having no signal, hence this is the phone I’m using at the moment.
Lynn

My N97 loses at least 3 bars when held in my hand and as I only have 2 bars at home, I can only use it on hand free without touching it! Even then it frequently cuts me off. I have had it for 5 months and now I a going to cut my loses and get a Blackberry which has UMA so reception is great via my Wi-fi. The N97 is by far the worst phone I have ever had.
Lynn

Sorry I should have added to the above post that mine is the N97 mini, so this one obviously does have the problems too.
Richard O’Neill

I have had my n97 mini since December 2009…at first it was good, eventually i started to see that the reason for loosing conection whilst making calls was due to hold the phone. Every time i hold the phone signal drops. Around a month/2 months ago, i had the phone sent to nokia to be repaird. When i got the phone back (with no contact from nokia explaining what the problem was) i saw the phone had been damaged whilst away being repaird. As you could guess, i was not happy. Nokia eventually replaced the phone and i am still suffering from the same problem. Reception on this phone is very very poor. I cant wait to get rid!!
Genya Arikado

My N97 Mini had a signal problem…you guys are totally wrong…im changing to iPhone 4…Nokia Sucks…not only there is a signal lost problem but the phone hang alot and crash alot. Once you turn off the phone, you cant on it anymore. Why? Because the phone at the Nokia Logo screen. It crash at that screen forever and never into home screen. NOKIA fail…This is my first Nokia phone and yet it fail me….
malak salman

i had n97 mini before 3 months ago and it\\\’s awsome it\\\’s the best i love it so much i think it\\\’s better than i phone tho haha
paul

i bought an n97 mini two months ago and to be honest it is a purchase i deeply regret. reception is a disgrace for a so called ‘smart’ phone and i am so tempted to return to my old sony ericsson c905 which on average has at least two bars more in every location. i live in an area of relatively poor reception and the calls are for ever cutting off simply because my skin contacts with the back of the phone. holding the n97mini in the pinch grip does help and often adds two bars to reception but this should not be needed for such an ‘advanced’ mobile phone. this article is based upon a test conducted in an area of high reception and therefore is not a true reflection of the problems we all face with this handset.
Phil B

Sorry to hear about your reception problems Paul.

I disagree, however, that our test was carried out in an area of high reception – I’m actually towered over by a multi-storey car park, and several buildings with over 10 floors. Reception is hugely varied – and I’m based in the midlands, not London.

By and large, the N97 Mini has never suffered from reception issues.

Again though, it’s a shame you’re struggling with yours. Have you tried it on a different network?
Nathan C

Hi all.
Sorry to hear about issues with Nokia N97mini. I will confirm that with my network I only loose reception when in the middle of no-where. My work phone (a samsung omnia pro with windows ce) is on the same network and both phones are even with reception performance. i never drop calls unless i drive into a dead spot. The only bad thing is i only average about 2-3 days battery life.

Cheers