Nokia launching flagship Nokia N96 handset in Q3 2008 alongside Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 business-class cellphones

Still waiting patiently for Nokia to go live with the famed successor to the uber-popular top-of-the-line N-series handset? Sure you are – we’re all waiting for Nokia to drop the Nokia N96-bomb. With that incredibly sexy black-gloss finish and backlit keypad, the dual-sliding N96 multimedia monster is set to take the N-series to a higher level with the pace-setting 5 megapixel Carl Zeiss shooter in tow.

So, it’s good to finally hear a solid launch window coming out of Nokia. And, it seems that Nokia isn’t just going to launch the DVB-H enabled Nokia N96 to play with its 16GB of onboard storage all by its lonesome. No, Nokia is going to be launching the much-anticipated Nokia E66 and Nokia E71 business-oriented cellphones around the same time as the flagship-replacement N96. Apparently, Q3 2008 is the target launch-window for the Nokia N96, E71, and E66.

“We will in the third quarter bring to the market the N96 we have launched and a group of E-series multimedia computers that will be sure to have a strong stamp on where this market is going,” Anssi Vanjoki, senior executive vice president of Nokia Markets, told Reuters.

Now, industry sources have also indicated that Nokia will be getting official with the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 business handsets next week.

We’re looking for the Nokia N96 to hit a 550 euros ($870) price-point – which may leave some of you that placed a pre-order for a Nokia N96 feeling a bit remorseful of your hasty purchase decision.

[Via: CellAddictBlog]

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

Tolik P

$870 for a phone is just pushing it! im no apple fan but 200 sounds a whole lot better (even though its nowhere near to n96 tech wise). ill wait half a year till it cools off to $500 or less then ill buy.
Zak

@Tolik P

Forget the N96 dude, remember that nokia is working on a new cam phone and samsung should be releasing their 8 Megapixel censor to product engineers anytime now.

The N96 just doesn’t really bring anything new to the table.

… I was expecting much more Nokia

N96 = Flagship?
Will Park

Yup, when this launches, it’ll be off the hook!
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/12/03/nokia-patent-application-hints-at-n-series-slider-with-8-megapixel-camera.html

But until then, the Nokia N96 is a sexy, sexy handset indeed. It is the flagship, but only until the next flagship succeeds it
Varun

Is Nokia fearing the 3G iPhone
I know N96 is a monster compared to iphone

thoughts ?
Will Park

Two completely different handsets aimed at completely different markets for completely different functions.

The N95/N96 falls on its face with respect to what the iPhone does well (UI, web-browsing, text messaging, email.. essentially consumption-based features).

The iPhone falls flat with respect to what the N95.N96 does well (image capture, multimedia output… essentially production-based features)

I think Nokia does respect the iPhone 3G. Apple really showed the world that a touchscreen-based UI and handset design really is the future. That’s why Nokia is working on the S60 Touch UI and their touch-based handsets like the Tube. I think Nokia fears what the iPhone represents in terms of their traditional market, but I’m not sure they fear being over-taken by a single handset.
Raidium

K, there is no way in the world you could get me to pay $870 for a new phone. That is just ridiculous! Theres no way i can see myself paying over $400 for a phone.
mostmug

I thought it would be a lot better then there N95 8Gb but i see the only thing that they really changed is the look and that its 16Gb. So really there just charging another 200-300$ more just for the memory, and the look……..imma still going to probs save up and buy it cuz thats the way i roll. I must have the best even though its not that much better.
father

sumeet tu kasa ahe sarve thik ahe na reply kar
Ras Phil

The iPhone 3G dose not have anything on the N96(ok the touch screen)but that’s it. The cost of the N96 is through the roof. I would have like to see at least a 7.1MP Camera for that price and better battery life.

However this mini PC is second to none right now! and when sprint rolls out its 4G WiMAX network along with Nokia’s upgraded hand helds apple fans this will eat your hearts out. The best is yet to come