The Nokia N97 utilizes a 1500 mAh Li-Pol battery (BP-4L). The N97 is rated for 6 hours of talk time (GSM) and 20 days of standby. Music time – up to 37 hours.
The handset’s battery life averaged 3 days , when the N97 was used for about two hours of calls, a dozen or two snaps, several minutes of video, and around an hour of music/radio. It takes the N97 around 1.5 hours to charge from empty to full.
If you can do without EDGE/GPRS data completely, the N97 will offer you even longer hours. With average use you will squeeze at least 4 days out of the battery. Nokia N97 has the best battery for a mobile phone.
Below is a chart of battery times from the N97:
• GPS-navigation – 5 hours
• Video playback – 4 hours 15 minutes
• WEB-surfing (EDGE) – 4.5 hours
• Music (in earphones) – 32 hours
• WiFi – the N97 is rated for 166 hours of standby, and 6 hours of data upload
Update: New blogpost -> Test results of N97 battery & Basic tips for more battery efficiency.
Related posts:
- Softwares for Nokia N97
- Desktop. Laptop. Pocket: Nokia N97
- Music @ Nokia N97
- Testing N97 Battery Part 2
Thats huge ! With all the widgets and stuff , i hope it stays that way for a long time.
N97 seems to be the ultimate phone now =)
Sorry to burst the bubble, but I picked up the N97 and had a very bad time with the phone. The battery barely lasted 11 hours, primarily on standby.
Moreover this handset had a million issues. To name a few:
1) When on charge the unlock didn’t work. Even after disconnecting the cable it refused to respond. Had to remove the battery.
2) Unlock after a call took 4-5 attempts to finally unlock the phone.
3) some applications just opened and exited right away while trying to work on them.
4) Phone switched off (with half the battery available) while on charge, and trying to unlock
5) phone screen was blank when a call came in. The phone rang and vibrated. When the unlock slider was moved, the phone switched off.
6) Internal Script Error for the facebook application. Asks for a restart of the phone.
7) Volume control went bezerk when a call came in and got answered with the slider open.
So I’m not quite impressed with Nokia on delivering a “state of the art” Phone!
Moreover, no provision has been made to remove the battery. U have to use a sharp object to hook it out. Now isn’t that a very basic feature in the design?
Monish, at least you CAN remove the battery, unlike other phones I could mention. As for your issues, I have experienced all of the above, plus another entire list which is 1-1/2 pages (single spaced). It is by far the most diappointing product of any kind that I have ever purchased. I have requested that Nokia take the product back, but they insist upon a repair attempt first. My N95 8GB is an amazing phone… the best I have ever owned. It does everything and does it well. It was made in Finland. The N97 was made in China. Nokia should be ashamed of themselves, and should offer a full refund PLUS a free iPhone 3Gs to everyone who made the horrible mistake of purchasing this Cracker-Jack-box trinket.
Bought the N97 on Tuesday 7th July and it will be going back to the shop today (Monday 11th July)!
The faults I have a various, to name a few…
Battery life, I charged for 23 hours when I first got it, then turned it on. I’m lucky if it last 24hrs before warning me it’s nearly flat! Having only made 2 x 10 min calls and send about 4 texts, not exactly heavy usage!
Facebook app, locks up, doesn’t refresh, doesn’t open. Plus the actualy app is crap compared to normal mobile web version, you get told if you have a msg, been poked or a friends request, also last 3 friends status update. Nothing if anyone comments on your status, or writes on wall or anything, even when (if you can) you open the full app.
The phone fails to answer calls, you slide your finger accross the screen and it does nothing, i’ve answered 1 so far and called everyone else back!
I use the phone lock feature, this is a 5 digit pin, when I try to unlock the phone it’s 50/50 on what keypad i’ll get, numeric or alphanumeric! Also the lock symbol flashes up when I change from landscape to profile, bit random!
It’s not all bad, the GPS is very quick at finding you and the reading of text msg’s is very novel, not had chance to upload music to it yet but the radio works well and the speakers you get for free in the vodafone box are good. (No AV lead tho!)
I am going to ask for another one as I did love my N95 8GB that I had before and have always loved Nokia but unless the battery life is 100 times better then this can go striaght to hell! Most of the other faults are software and can be updated later (hopefully)
I bought my N97 about 3 days back and have faced two main problems: (1) Extremely low battery life. It dies on me in around 12-15 hrs which is simply ridiculous! And this is with very low phone usage (2) the phone pad lock is a problem. Sometimes one push opens up the phone and sometimes it needs 3 pushes. I dont really understand this.
All in all its a good phone provided the problems can be solved soon.
@Abdul Aziz – Low battery life seems to be a problem for most people. one thing you can do is check whether the phone is connected to the internet 24×7. shuffle between going online and offline. as for the number of pushes, i figured that 2 not-so-fast push works most of the time but this really shouldnt be the way things are done. M sure nokia is working on a new firmware.
the phone has its share of probs, but still ‘a N97 is a N97′
I recently bought the n97 and as much as i hate to admit, i must confess the phone is rather a disappointment. I have experienced all of the above problems at some point and the battery life is terrible. Even with light usage it does not last up to a day. I love Nokia phones and have owned all their top models but this phone really needs to be re-worked by Nokia. If i were to sum this phone up in one word it would be ‘disappointing’.
@Theo i do agree that there is a big scope of improvement. I believe, a proper firmware update should settle most of the prob. Hope they are listening.
I’ve had similar application problems and crashes with my N97, that was a real disappointment to be honest – but the firmware update they’ve since released has fixed quite a lot of the problems.
Not all, but quite a lot.
…having said that, now it appears to be developing new problems, ‘white wallpaper for no reason’-syndrome anyone? lol
I’ve always accepted that the top-end N-series phones are buggy for the first few months, they always need to release a bunch of firmware updates to get it right; so I guess we need to be patient?
I can’t see the battery problem changing though – I have it constantly connected to the internet sure, but that’s what the phone was built for wasn’t it?
I have to charge my phone every night – not ideal. Has anyone heard of higher capacity batteries out there?
I was one amongst several buyers in Delhi who took the phone back to the store in frustation. The phone was hanging 5-8 times a day! The store people had a handwritten checklist of things to disable, like the keylock app which apparently was the main culprit. Now I have been advised not to install themes, wallpaper and so on! The phone is working ok now, but the battery lasts barely for the day.
Funnier things are happening though. Yesterday, (the 6th day), i charged the phone for full 5 hours but the battery charging symbol didnt go away. Anyway, I disconnected the charger at 9 pm and in the morning I found the phone shut off and it did not switch on at all. On charging again, I found the battery totally drained off! I am just hoping this was a one time glitch!
Other issues: The FM transmitter is very weak.
Above problems listed i have Also had issues with. purchased one month ago in AUS and last night my phone did the no charge thing, upon recharge it seems to be functioning however cant access anything other than the Internal mass storage. -_- VERY disappointing considering it’s a $1000 phone over here. Hopefully Nokia can relaease a few more firmware updates. Getting insurance on your phone is probable the BEST option as it will cover everything, only issue there will be having the 2 week downtime to get it fixed/replaced. Cmon Nokia help us out! =D
I can concur with all the above problems, and the main issue being the poor battery life. I need bluetooth running, and I struggle to get through a day without charging. Max 1 hour talk time.
Very disappointing.
I purchased my N97 three weeks back. I was too excited about this phone so i started using it right away. Hardly made any calls though, I was basically checking out the features and when I was about to sleep, I put the phone on charge. But later I noticed that the battery charge hardly holds up for a day. Which I thought was because I dint charge the battery as soon as I purchased the phone. After which I used my spare phone and I charged my N97 for 2 days, now its back to square one. I even tried turning off the touch screen vibration. Nothing works. But after going through this webpage, I understand that this problem with battery life “is” an issue. I was about to go back to the store to sort this problem out, but after reading your comments I’m wondering if I should. Other than the battery problem, I, fortunately, havent experienced any of the above mentioned problems like the lock thingy and phone hanging and stuff.. What should I do now guys?
I watched all You Tube videos about the nokian97 because originally i wanted to buy the Blackberry storm now i wish i had. They all glorified the phone out of all proportions. The battery life is ridiculous not at all as in the advertisement, which is a blatant lie. My screen does not turn i had it hanging, yes nokia should shame themselves to sell a so called “flagship” The camera is also 2end class the pictures are grainy even in daylight.
I also bought this phone thinking it’s a fantastic state of the art phone and when i first installed the battery to the phone I thought wow it’s massive and should hold charge for days..but after 1 day well – you all know the story from here…so far I haven’t experienced any problems from the lists above however, to solve my battery issue for the short term I will be purchasing an extra battery and a battery charger which can be plugged into a USB port (you can obviously plug this into a wall adapter if you have one so to avoid having to always charge from your desktop/laptop). There are heaps of after market batteries on eBay for example, and for me it’s the best thing I could think of.
Hey, The obove specification given is a total lie. I have been using N97 for couple of months and I have to charge everday. If u use youtube to watch videos for 45 min or so it starts to feel really warm and battery will not for an hour. Same goes using iplayer.
I dont use to talk a lot in phone. Hardly 15 min ave in a day.. and bit of web browsing. It wont hardly last a day. N97 is the still the best of Nokia so far.. but the battery doesnot simply match the device. You got loads of app. and other stuff which r simply amazing but why the flippin h**l is it supplied with such a poor battery. I simply dont know.
the people saying the n97 is basically crap obviously you own the iphone that overheats and melts and discolours the plastic to name a few i have the n97 and not a problem and i give it a right bashing the n97 is by far a more advanced than the iphone and has more capability than the i phone bosting the 32gb memory standard as well as a 5mp camera WITH FLASH and night mode a luxury for you iphone owners
any problems take it back for an exchange
My observation for my N97 is when you charge the battery only when it is TOTALLY empty, then the battery life will last about 2-3days. However, when you try to charge it when there are still some battery power (no matter 1 bar or 2 bars), the battery will drain very fast and probably within few hours. I have complained to Nokia and they just said it is a battery problem and replaced one for me yesterday (after many attempts to contact them and did a lot of works
). Will see this new battery will bring any good.
I purchased my N97 2 month ago. In this time I have a big concerts about the phone.
1. Battery is very low (using data is empty in 1hr 30 min.)
2. If you have empty the battery. For use aging the phone have to remove the battery and try again.
3. The “application” phone many times is freeze.. yes specially if you are using GPS or the twitter or music.
4. The touch screen have low sensitivity.
I think.. I lost my money.
Just get the N97. What ever you guys experienced badly as above, I also experienced the same thing. We hope NOKIA can do something with the phone. Take it back, return to us the improved one. Just getting fed up, and back to my old reliable blackberry…
i feel sorry for all of us but more so for the more unfortunate ones. But tell me something: which battery shall i get for at least 3 days of performance with web usage, minimal talk time of 20 mins / day & an hour or 2 of lecture listening, 5-10 shots / day etc. ?
I get my N97 for 3wks.. My Battery life really Cannot make it.. It last for a day.. Which doesnt match with what it describe as 400/430HRs of standby time.. I m so sad
Greetings to all of you,
For all the N97 problems, Just update the firmware…because i dont have any of the above mentioned problems in my Blackie…(after the firmware update!!!!LOL)
All the best
Umesh.
Simply put, best phone I've ever had, and I've had a few. Camera quality is good (I should know, I work for the company who designs the modules
) and the functionality of the aps is second only to the iPhone. The iPhone comes with a lot more negatives however in my opinion. Damn, I wish the battery life was longer for the N97 though, it really does take the shine off the fact that it's such a great phone.
the new firmware update has made it better i had all the same problems but now its ok
v 20
Hello all you N97 grousers! I don't own the N97 but fully intend to buy it in Jan 2010 when my N95 contract expires. I've had the N95 for 2 years and it has been a fantastic phone…with no battery problems at all. Take notice you moaners and groaners, if you don't give the battery the correct initial charge…you will always have problems. Anyone with half a brain should know that every Lithium battery requires a full 24 hours initial charge, then used to empty; charged for another 24 hours and used to empty. THEN your battery wil perform as advertised and can be charged as per instructions in the manual. Simple, so wake up and stop wingeing.
really, we…errr… sorry i didnt know that…thanks for the tip
erm i h8 to see people write their opinions without knowing..
1) when u buy it, update the new firmware, (if you buy windows x (whatever version) u staying at the correct version ?)
2) this phone is from the few cell phones that have multi tasking applications? do you guys knew that when u close an application, it really does not closed at all? just hide on the "background", SO in a few words, if you really want to keep your cell phone up till a few days more, when u close applications, close them from the "task manager" too.
so in few words: ALL THE PROBLEMS YOU POST ABOVE IS BECAUSE YOU FULL YOUR MEMORY
hope that helps.
I’m having many of the same problems as noted above. I've owned the phone for exactly 3 days now and had to charge a completely empty battery 5 times. I've made exactly 3 calls on the phone and maybe 20 texts so far. I've fiddled a little with WiFi, testing various apps and connectivity. I am a T-Mobile pay-as-you-go customer with no data plan, so occasional WiFi and future GPS use is it for me, besides light calls and texting. I am a Nokia fan, rave about my N82, and the relative simplicity of the Symbian OS. I owned a 6500, N72, and N86. I could care less about the iPhone.
I wanted a touch-screen Nokia with virtual keyboard having large characters to avoid reading glasses all the time (N82). So, the N97 seemed very appealing at the time.
I currently have the latest firmware based on the Nokia Software updater and it is a NAS (made in China) variant. I'm well familiar with charging lithium batteries and always wait for it to be fully empty prior to charging (even though Nokia states in the N97 documentation that this battery is fully charged and requires no pre-charging).
To mitigate battery usage, I removed any application calling for WiFi connection from the desktop so as not to kick-off WiFi use. I’ve deleting unneeded data “destinations” and routinely verify GPS is not active, nor a WiFi connection is present. Of note, when WiFi was in use the phone gets very hot over a relatively short period of time. The battery lasted only 10 hours in this state after a full recharge,
If I could get a full refund I would, but I bought the phone through newegg as part of a holiday sale and can only exercise a 30 day return policy for a like replacement which I intend to use to rule out possible hardware issues.
I would not recommend this boat-anchor to anyone at this time. Maybe it’s time to switch to the Motorola Milestone (Android) when prices fall ……..
I was so exited I was going to get a new phone!!! …us mothers can be left behind with all this new tecnology, so I had to find out about how it worked!
I bought my n97 about 3 months a go and it has been giving me problems as from day 1!!! , I phoned nokia and they told me it would be fixed soon, and to wait for the new software to come out…
I took it to nokia care center, (in which you have to wait for about 1 hour before you are attended), and they updated my phone!, or at least I was told so,,,
Nothing has changed, I can´t take photos at night, since I get a round circle in the middle of the picture and my battery sometimes does not last 10 hours!
I like my n97!!, but the only solution to having it working properly is sending it away and having to get by with a used phone that is probably 4 years old!!!
Who wants an old phone when you get used to the new tecnologies…
My phone does not work as they promised and it is very fustrating, i am a running like mad mother behind her children! I would like to listen to music while waiting for them to finish their activities without thinking:- my battery has to last till I get home!!!
I can only say that I can´t use my n97 as i would like, who knows… you might be lucky!
Elena
Hey Elena .. Sorry to hear about that. N97 battery has been a problem for most people. But 10 hours is too low. From my personal experience and from what i know, you can easily get through one days work with a full recharge.
Just check :
1. Close apps which are not required. makes your phone faster as well.
2. I know N97 has been promoted as an internet device. but staying online all the time drains your phone real fast. There is no two ways about saying this. It sucks. what can we do now? dont stay connected online all the time. Avoid using PUSH for emails.
3. Auto dim your phone when in standby or use the side clicker.
Hope these helps. And folks please do share your comments on how you manage your n97 battery.
Thanks.
Hi All,
I am using N97 from Aug 14th, ya initially i do had problems whatever mentioned above, but now i am loving my N97. It's a great phone for me, for office use, for entertainment. May be i shifted from 3110C, that's why i may be amazed with this phone, but now it really works fine with me.
1. Update your firmware to 20.0.019
2. If you are not giving to Nokia care for firmware updation, then hard reset the phone (method is mentioned in this blog) and update using your PC.
3. Do not install any application to C: memory (people understand, this phone is not just phone, it is like PC, don't you try to keep less files on your C drive)
4. Build a habbit of checking running application, just do not close/hide it, but EXIT the application.
5. Once in a while complete discharge your phone and full charge it without any interruption.
6. Do not put for charging and left it unattended for more than 3 hours, take out the plug.
7. Try to disable GPRS/3G connection after using the net based applications.
8. Do not opt for auto start options for any applications.
9. Store your messages on Mass Drive.
10. Try to make folders and keep your files in a organized way, just do not dump all files in Mass Memory ( I do not know the logic but it do work for me, may be it's acting like defrangmentation option in PC).
11. Do not just install all the applications/softwears from all sites, many people do not even test properly and just upload it saying tested on N97.
12. Uninstall unnecessary application or two or more applications with same feature (e.g., in Ovi you get Night Stand, Flash light two different application, but there is one more app Dazzle light which works like these two applications. eg., 2 going for one application which has weather update, exchange update, and news)
People try to understand it's phone and not a PC, please do not over expect from this. Compare to N97's 12th version firmware, 20th version is much better.
And to use this phone you need to have basic sense of computer/technology.
Regards
Akshara
all valid points. thanks akshara.
adding to aritra_m's
1. Disable breathing light on your phone.
2. Make missed program light indicator to blink only for 5 minutes or turn off the option.
3. Always show WLAN option, disable it.
4. Disable auto rotating option.
update the firmware of the N97 and all mentioned problems will disappea.
i need to know how can i change low battery warning because i'm still facing this small issue, after 2 to 3 days i found my battery is too low without tone warning, is there any advice?
I had the same problem with all who commented on N97. I'm scared that my husband will get angry cause it's an expensive phone. no wonder people don't like this phone. please help us solve these problems. we need your help. I want to return this phone but I can't. I'm so sad. where will we get this firmware by the way? I hate this phone and I want the one who made this phone do something about this problems!!!
i just bought a new n97 mini, but it happend that i cant fully charge my phone unless i switch it off and charge for 8hrs, it last for two day for normal usage. Is this a normal senario or my battery propably got problem??!! I like the function and app but the battery prob really make me headache. Anyone facing same problem? or i am the only unlucky person. Chiam
i’ve had every problem all the above and many many more my nokia n97 doesn’t update but make it worse it stop charging altogether and yes i’ve contacted nokia tech support and emailed nokia they claim the’ve tried to get in contact but my phone was on from 7a.m. till midnite no call no message if i missed a call nothing they were full of it..about the problems and yet i’m still waiting for assistance. can’t return the phone back to dell where i bought from and nokia seems to be waiting for my 1 year warranty to run out…so to sum it up i paid over $600.00 for a phone that won’t get fix or replaced so who & where do we make a big complaint against nokia company so they can & will fix the issuses with this model phone i have read lots & lots of reviews about the n97 & mostly bad & way to many complaints about nokia doing nothing to help there customers that are fans of nokia… they should have recalledn97 back in the first place when they found people complainting way to many glitches. i have found thats only 1 out 20 people will have a good nokia n97 with no problems 1 of my friends has 1 no problems & she’s knows alot about mobile phones & she told me my phone has software issuses. Now it doesn’t even charge..
god damn it i hated this phone keylock doesnt respond,random resets running out of memory etc.etc but after updateing to v22 its a whole different phone they fixed every bug existed now i cun run 7 apps simultaneously and still havee about 20 mb free on C: Which was impossible before with just one app..phone is now fast screen is responsive almost prefect..because of scratches on the camera lens -.- i considered abandoning nokia but they said that their software control will improve in future…