North American N96 hits Nokia flagship stores

Nokia's North American N96 has already made an appearance at Best Buy Mobile locations but, if you're the die hard type that prefers to keep things as Nokia-centric as possible, you'll no doubt be pleased to know that Nokia's flagship phone is now also available at Nokia's two flagship stores in New York and Chicago. You will have to pay a slight premium for all that Nokia-ness, however, with the phone running a hefty $842 (unlocked, of course) at the stores compared to the $800 Best Buy is asking. Those with a bit more will power and slightly less affection for Nokia may want to think twice though, as Amazon now also has the phone listed for just $705.99, albeit with a promised ship date of November 9th.

[Via Symbian-Guru.com]

[asg84 @ Oct 31st 2008 2:12PM]

nokia call this as a flagship, but looks like nothing new , same 5mpx cam with 16 gb memory :(

this phone is not good as nokia n85 ,( slider is wobbling and the camera stand is weak plus cheap plastic)

[sam @ Nov 1st 2008 7:20AM]

last time nokia called any model a "flagship phone" was 1997, and the model was 8110. only gadget freaks and sites devoted for their cause have a need to designate some model as a flagship model.

n96 is a niche device.

[ILoveApple @ Oct 31st 2008 2:17PM]

Engadget, please start putting a disclaimer up everytime you post about the N96. Something along the lines of 'THIS PHONE IS A PIECE OF SHIT THAT IS PRACTICALLY THE SAME AS THE 2 YEAR OLD N95 BUT COSTS TWICE AS MUCH' would work, I guess.

Thanks.

[huh @ Oct 31st 2008 2:20PM]

And it has the same problems - a camera lens that is easily scratched, software updates that won't carry across major revisions, and a terminally inconsistent user interface.. Nokia, time to step up to the modern age, and stop shovelling new versions of the same old sh*t.

[Aaron @ Oct 31st 2008 2:57PM]

Where can I buy a N95 for $350? Link?

[ILoveApple @ Oct 31st 2008 3:11PM]

Where can you get a N95 for half the price of a N96?

eBay, brand new.
Amazon.
Newegg.
Mobilecityonline.

And that's just to name a few from the top of my head. Wanna try again?

[Matthew Hilario @ Oct 31st 2008 2:19PM]

but can it play snake?

[ILoveApple @ Oct 31st 2008 2:26PM]

Sure, if you pay for it.

[StalematE @ Oct 31st 2008 2:39PM]

in soviet russia... snake... I'll stop.

[offroadering @ Oct 31st 2008 5:23PM]

i don't see why it would not... you play with your snake.

[Nithin @ Oct 31st 2008 5:35PM]

How does $629 sound??

http://www.myworldphone.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=NOK-N96-DG

[Elcorvaxo @ Oct 31st 2008 7:11PM]

hummmmmmm still sounds expensive . . .

[Kari Gamari @ Oct 31st 2008 7:38PM]

I just got the Nokia N95-3 (US Edition w/3G), and even though i don't use the 3G, I still strongly believe that the N95 is the best phone that I have ever used. I have had the phone for about 2 weeks and it is just awesome, with the exception of a one thing (web browsing). My co-worker recently got the N96 (European edition), so he sold me his N95-3.

The facts about the N95 and N96

N96 has a larger screen, its sleeker, and thats about it.

The N95-3 has a larger battery

Everything else is exactly the same, I have grown to love Nokia very recently and I am glad i sold my iPhone, which had inferior, camera, call quality, and overall phone reception. The iPhone had a better web browser and larger touchscreen, which are all cool. But in the end the phone that i will recommend to the average phone user who wants excellent phone reception and an excellent camera is the Nokia N95-3.

[b_Love @ Oct 31st 2008 8:09PM]

I saw one at a Best Buy in Columbus, GA for $699. Still over the top if you ask me.

[dj496 @ Oct 31st 2008 9:57PM]

Hmm, I didn't know Nokia could (I mean, wanted to) make phones that looked a la HTC like that. Looks nice!!

[HB96st @ Oct 31st 2008 11:08PM]

Apple iPhone for $299, Verizon ready to drop the price of the touchscreen BB, and nokia STILL charges $$$ for their phones?? wow... how long can you do it nokia?

[Eric @ Nov 1st 2008 8:00AM]

That's for an unlocked, unsubsidized, fully functional phone. Big difference. For example, try getting a discount on a phone from Verizion if you didn't buy "insurance" and are not up for contract renewal. Usually they have a few factory refurbished models available, but if you want the newest phones, you'll either have to try to negotiate a new contract or pay full price.

[Zane @ Nov 2nd 2008 1:46AM]

Wow.. you have no idea about carrier subsidies.

[David @ Nov 1st 2008 4:41PM]

Two words: Too expensive.

[Blastar @ Nov 1st 2008 11:41PM]

Dear engadget readers...
What MORE has to offer N96 and costs THAT much.. ??
Does it really worths its money ?
I think the cost is still high.. I mean with that kind of money you could buy an eeepc-like PC device with 3G abilities or to add a 3G device like a USB 3G modem for example and ofcourse you wouldnt be limited to Symbian n theOS either.. which is very limited for me.. not mention that it could have a touch screen interface (Look at http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/21/asus-ceo-touchscreen-eee-pcs-and-windows-7-in-mid-2009-250-mo/ ) and it would be also faster. And I WOULD STILL HAVE ENOUGH MONEY for a CHEAPER (than N96 like N95 for exchange if I am too fan of Nokia) cellphone too !!

So WHY I should buy this device ?.. Just to have the abilitie to make phonecalls ??
Ummm... I think that Maybe the excesive cellphone radiation burned some braincells to these guys because there is NO reason to tag something like tha, that high !

[NCell @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:42PM]

I think Nokia's Nseries cellphones are great and am happy with the N95. I may consider getting the N96 if it offers enough extra features that makes it worth it.
http://www.blognseries.com

[ER @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:08AM]

I'm buying one.

I F-ing love Nokia! Tried others, but, I still love me some Nokia. I'm just never really satisfied at others! I want me some Nokia.

1st-5th phone was Nokia..
6th Palm
7th Samsung
8th Motorola
9th Nokia
10th Apple
11th Nokia 96 (Hopefully SOON!)