Nokia's N95 'iPhone killer' hits the market to high demand

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 17 April 2007 10:57

Business IT - Technology

Nokia's new top of the line multimedia handheld computer, the N95, has gone on sale simultaneously to high demand in Australia and the US, where it is being branded an 'iPhone killer'.

In Australia the N95 went on sale at the weekend (13 April.) Nokia Australia's communications manager, Louise Ingram, told iTWire "Dick Smiths, Strathfield and All Phones definitely have it in stock, we expect other retail channels to follow this week as the stock filters from warehouse to store. There has been a lot of pent-up demand for this product so early indications are very pleasing."

InformationWeek reported a similar situation in the US. "Early results are promising: UK mobile phone outlet Carphone Warehouse has a message on its site limiting purchasers to one N95 'due to high demand,' and according to Nokia, boutique phone stores in New York City sold out within a day."

The N95 is a 3G WCDMA device with support HSDPA, WiFi and EDGE networks. It has built-in stereo speakers, a standard 3.5 mm audio connector, support for compatible microSD memory cards and 3D graphics. It runs Nokia's S60 software on Symbian OS. It comes with a 5megapixel camera.

The Australian recommended retail price is $1379. It is being offered for around $1250 by Dick Smith and is being offered by Allphones for $30 per month on 24 month Vodafone $49 Maxi Cap contract and at $25 per month on the $79 Maxi Cap 24 month contract. Given the current value of the Australian dollar against the Greenback, this price is rather high: US price is $US750 ($A902).

According to InformationWeek, "Not only has Nokia established that there's a market for high-end phones, but it's also set to give the iPhone a run for its money. Even among the rapturous early reviews of the iPhone, sceptics noted its one-carrier support (the phone will be available only in Cingular/AT&T stores and from Apple), its closed operating system, its reliance on the slower 2.5G network technology, the high price, and so on." The announced price of the iPhone is $US499.

It added: the iPhone's "revolutionary" touch screen could put off users accustomed to a cell-phone keyboard. What's more, unlike the N95, the iPhone doesn't support e-mail synchronisation with Microsoft Exchange--a deal-breaker for many IT shops."