Nokia N97 Revived as a Retro-Inspired Gaming Handheld
The iconic Nokia N97, a cult favourite from 2009, is making a comeback – this time, as a gaming handheld. Tech company Sugar Cubes has unveiled the N97 Elite, a portable gaming console that borrows heavily from the original N97’s design while adapting it for modern gaming.
Much like its predecessor, the N97 Elite features a sliding mechanism, but instead of revealing a physical keyboard, it houses a D-pad and action buttons. The 4.7-inch screen tilts upward for a better viewing angle, evoking the look of the classic Nokia slider. However, the lack of analogue sticks may disappoint some gamers.
Under the hood, the handheld runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855+, a chipset from 2019 that was once a flagship processor. While no longer top-tier, it remains powerful enough for classic emulators and some modern games. It also boasts an impressive 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
The device has been generating buzz on Chinese social media for months, and it is now available in China for CNY 1,499 (approximately $205 USD). Special editions featuring Gundam and Dragon Ball designs cater to anime fans.
However, early reviews suggest the N97 Elite may struggle to live up to the hype, echoing the fate of the original Nokia N97. Despite its ambitious design and high expectations, Nokia’s first major touchscreen smartphone was ultimately hampered by a sluggish operating system and outdated hardware, marking the beginning of the brand’s decline in the smartphone market.
For those nostalgic for Nokia’s golden era, the N97 Elite offers a unique throwback, but whether it can deliver a solid gaming experience remains to be seen.
