New Nseries will put a dent in operator subsidy budgets
Nokia's touch-screen phone, the N97, dubbed by many as the ‘iPhone killer’ is set to have a hefty price tag when it hits the market.
The phone, which has an estimated price tag of £500, is expected to hit the shelves in April after launching in December at Nokia World 2008 in Barcelona. Concern is growing over which networks will take on and subsidise the phone.
The current Nseries flagship phone, the N96, sparked controversy when O2 did not immediately take up the phone and other networks refused to fully subsidise the phone due to its expensive price. O2 eventually conceded and decided to stock the phone, but did not subsidise it. Some operators charged around £250 for the device on the mid-price tariffs.
The release of the N97 will be preceded by Nokia’s first touch-screen release, the 5800 XpressMusic phone, which is available for pre-order now in Phones 4u and Vodafone. The 5800 will also be free on £35 contracts on Orange at Phones 4u.
The N97 has already drummed up interest on the internet. The manufacturer is encouraging Nokia enthusiasts to design their own widget for the N97 as part of a competition to see their design on the new handset.
Nokia said the device will be ‘the world’s most advanced mobile computer’.
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