Coming soon to Voda in July - N97 Confirmed

[GSMGuy]

Well, these last 4 N96's I have had direct from Orange have all been unlocked, AND totally unbranded - Not a mention of Orange on the phone, box or packaging :)

Hopefully a sign of things to come....

Wonder if the N85 or 5800 I'll be ordering as an upgrade for the OH on Saturday will be the same....

Mike

[dynomot]

I wait with bated breath to see how bad Vodafones firmware is. Apparently I can have an N97 and they'll phone me as soon as they get them in. I've been on a rolling contract awaiting my upgrade for two months now.

What I can't understand is that Vodafone in accordance with other network providers is now supplying unlocked handsets, so what's the point in branding them with their firmware ? Is it possible it may be unlocked and unbranded ? Or (more likely) will I have to void my warrenty less than an hour after getting one ?

[gavinguinness]

You know, SIM free seems to be looking more and more attractive. I wonder if there's any worth in starting a Phone Loan business. Where you can buy a phone sim free, over 12 months and just stick your own SIM in it.

I've said it before - the phones are not "phones" any more, the feature set is becoming so advanced that it's actually upsetting the networks. Hence why some networks don't stock certain phones and other lock up and restrict features. Networks have dictated to us for too long IMO.

O2 not ruling out stocking Nokia N97
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=111607

I think the above links are a hint that IF O2/Orange do stock the N97, it's going to have some sort of crippling Firmware on it.
Or perhaps they should embrace the Data era and finally offer packages with Minutes/Texts and Data as standard instead of the ridiculous bolt ons or £1 a day charges!

Obviously the easy answer is to go Voda, but for me the coverage is pants. So I'll just stay up here on my soap box for a while.

[smacz69]

Originally Posted by gavinguinness

Obviously the easy answer is to go Voda, but for me the coverage is pants. So I'll just stay up here on my soap box for a while.

What do you mean? Why is Vodafone the easy answer?

[GSMGuy]

Well, as I said, hopefully if Orange do go for it, and I think they may now, as with having no more N95/N96 they are seriously lacking a high end handset, then hopefully it will not only be unlocked (which isn't really an issue to me) but unbranded would be great!

I think (and I may be wrong) that since Orange has had so many probs with the N series and "Orange firmware" that it may just be cheaper from a support and implementation point, to just provide them as generics.... Will certainly please the customers, and probably keep the used prices/demand more buoyant.

Mike

[gavinguinness]

Originally Posted by GSMGuy

I think (and I may be wrong) that since Orange has had so many probs with the N series and "Orange firmware" that it may just be cheaper from a support and implementation point, to just provide them as generics.... Will certainly please the customers, and probably keep the used prices/demand more buoyant.

Mike

Agreed, but I can't see it either fella. Orange are well know to be the worst in the business for branding and restricting.

Originally Posted by smacz69

What do you mean? Why is Vodafone the easy answer?

On the subject of sourcing the phone, simply because they have confirmed they will be stocking it.

[deakodude]

Tariffs are up on the Vodaphone site don't seem that bad to me.

[cinek]

where did you find them? the pay monthly tab doesn't work for me on voda -> comming soon

[Bartmanekul]

There are no tariffs up on the voda site relating to the N97, I'm not sure what deakodude is on about.

I suspect it will only be free on £40 - £45 a month contracts.

[roberth]

N97 release date confirmed!!!!
5th June for Malaysia and Kuala Lumpar

The N97 Is Close - As Close As June 5th | The Symbian Blog