Nokia N85 pops up at Amazon for $556 unlocked

No matter how accustomed we should be by now, it's always jarring to see one of the Nokia N-series phones drop at some outlandish unsubsidized price -- if you think the $556 tag on this N85 is hefty, keep in mind that Amazon is claiming that's already been steeply discounted from an atmospheric $1,200 "list price." While the phone is available to "buy" right this second at Amazon.com, there's a 3 to 5 week ship time quoted, so there's no telling if this'll be the first spot to nab the hotly-anticipated, N96-besting AMOLED handset in the States -- though it might be the first to take your hard earned cash for such a purpose.

[Via OLED-Info]

[telepheedian @ Nov 30th 2008 8:10PM]

I get that it's a cool phone, but at that price, is it really worth getting over say, an older HTC touch, or a normal featurephone and a Zune/iPod to go with it? Heck, you could even get a digital camera to go along with it all.

[Mobius_1 @ Nov 30th 2008 8:56PM]

And a pair of jeans with enough big pockets to carry it all :P

[Flashpoint @ Nov 30th 2008 9:27PM]

I think I'd rather iPhone or Storm.

Storm is an unlocked world phone which can be a cell modem.

[1234321 @ Nov 30th 2008 10:04PM]

I think Nokia makes some great phones
and this one for example has top end camera and gaming (for a phone) quality
but their prices are just so unjustified, they really need to get some of these N series phones to carrier discounts
I know like dealers in like chinatown do it already, but if they want to get a big marketshare in the US they need official carrier backing

[-slycooper_rocker- (lorddshadow the amazing) psn: shahanasalam @ Nov 30th 2008 11:43PM]

like rly?

[YpoCaramel @ Dec 1st 2008 2:02AM]

Have a feature phone means that your web browsing abilities are much reduced, however. One key thing about smartphones is that they're good at staying connected - email, internet, IM etc... I would prefer a Touch for IM and E-mail, but then this has a sweet OLED screen and a nice camera. Good weekend phone, when e-mail traffic is light and I don't text much anyways.

Its a good deal if you don't live in the States, and yes, people, make money and buy gadgets outside of that country too. It is a fair bit cheaper than current-gen HTCs that go for closer to $700-800.

[tuna @ Dec 1st 2008 7:13PM]

@telepheedian
And have your pants at your ankles from the weight of those gadgets? The point here is to have one device that does all... including a camera that can rival some of the name brand dedicated point-and-shoot cameras. And, here state-side, the HTC Touch isn't old enough to be "older". The other thing is, personally, WM sucks ass. Been there, done it... never again.

@ Flashpoint:
The N85 can do all of those things.

@1234321
Expensive, yes. But, you are forgetting this is a unlocked, unsubsidized phone. You may think the iphone is a great deal, but the most basic plan is $70 a month! Either way, you're paying through the nose.

[Dan @ Nov 30th 2008 8:10PM]

oooooh...its shiny

[iEye @ Nov 30th 2008 8:15PM]

So this is what Nokia thinks Mundane costs... pricey.

[Mobius_1 @ Nov 30th 2008 8:57PM]

I think it's nice looking in a function over form and understated. Go ahead and bling your iPhone, see which gets stolen :P

[iEye @ Nov 30th 2008 9:09PM]

'Doorstop' is one of the best features of a Nokia branded handset...

[Mobius_1 @ Nov 30th 2008 9:22PM]

(This is an attack at fanboism, not Apple, and I only say it in retaliation)

The iPhone makes a better doorstop, especially if you tried (unsuccessfully) to unlock it.

[Tomheivers @ Dec 1st 2008 2:46AM]

It's not that pricey, it costs the same as an unlocked Iphone
And I mean the legal version of it.

[urandom @ Dec 1st 2008 3:34AM]

iEye, you spelled 'Apple' wrong, again.

[Mark Anderson @ Dec 1st 2008 4:54AM]

@iEye

No, because if they did it wouldn't cost more than $199*





*unless you live anywhere except the US**
**and don't include subsidies

[Chris @ Nov 30th 2008 8:16PM]

I don't get it, why are Nokia phones so expensive, I'm sure its cool but not $550 cool.

[CJ @ Nov 30th 2008 8:30PM]

Wait... So you're saying a 500+ dollar phone, with an Amoled screen, 5mpx camera, wi-fi, and (most likely) nokia's incredible build quality, is 'cheap and disposable'?

Sorry, I don't have a trust fund or rich parents.

[allgoodnameideastakenup @ Nov 30th 2008 8:30PM]

Because this phone has an AM OLED screen and a five megapixel camera. Those things bring the price up. I don't know what iEYE is talking about..

[dvsbstrd @ Nov 30th 2008 8:33PM]

It's because the phones aren't being subsidized by a carrier.

A G1, for example, is $400 without a contract/extension, but it's only $179 with a new two year agreement.

Over the course of your contract, you'll more than pay for the list price ($400) of that phone.

[The Police @ Nov 30th 2008 8:36PM]

*cough* unsubsidized *cough*

[gad get @ Nov 30th 2008 8:37PM]

iEye, just a hint: if you're going to wildly bash everything that doesn't start with "i", at least try to actually form a coherent criticism.

[bandigolo @ Nov 30th 2008 8:38PM]

Nobody ever knows what in the hell iEye is talking about.

[BananaBoat @ Nov 30th 2008 9:10PM]

Nokia makes cheap (in cost) phones mostly. That doesn't mean that they make poor quality phones.


That said, 556 isn't that bad considering my iPhone cost me 200 with a contract, and then hundreds more dollars in exorbitant data plans I don't need. Then again...what good is a 556 dollar phone if you don't have a decent data plan to go with it?

[jdmbo1 @ Dec 1st 2008 12:34AM]

Damn ieye, your a dumb motherfucker.

Your comparison makes no sense, your comparing a product to a manufacturer. Go stick that pickle up your ass, and for future references, if you're going to go as far as spelling the word Shit, don't pussy out by adding an e.

[Tyler @ Dec 1st 2008 1:11AM]

yeah... and we thought the iphone was overpriced. Have a lols-royce nokia

[Korrosion @ Dec 1st 2008 2:13AM]

ieye. It's just that Nokia controls the luxury phones with 8xxx series and Vertu and the smart phone market. So if anything Nokia is pretty far from bottom feader. Nokia's brand does also cost something because Nokia=phone in most parts of the world.

Thought i understand that when people see price like 600 price tag on Nokia they i think it's overpriced coming from nation with total carrier control. But the fact is that these phones are free with carrier support in most parts of the world and they sell.

Either people here STILL don't understand what unlocked and locked is or people don't wan't say it here in the world of Apple. Thought if Nokia would be selling only onlocked price in Europe and Asia, they wouldn't probally be doing much better in smart phone market than they are in USA.

[poitch @ Nov 30th 2008 8:31PM]

I hate when Amazon tries and make it look at it's an amazing deal when it's not, Nokia USA has the same phone on pre-order for $588.90, so this is a blatant lie from Amazon to claim an MSRP at 1200.

[iEye @ Nov 30th 2008 11:39PM]

$1,200 is the early adopter price that those snivelling nerds are willing to pay on day 1...

[simon @ Nov 30th 2008 8:39PM]

The HTC Touch Diamond has been out for about 8 months now and the Nokia still doesn't hold a candle to it. This may be a personal opinion but I don't base my choice of 'phone on music players and the number of free tracks I can download.
The Diamond was designed for functionality and, granted once you clean it up a bit, power. This is what I really want from a 'phone.
I may be wrong!

[Arkpo @ Dec 1st 2008 4:11AM]

While this might sound wierd here in NA blog, but WM is rare sight in Europe while S60 is by far the mainstream smart phone OS. Plus HTC is more expensive than N85 unlocked or locked and people are waiting phone with that price to have good camera, but it got "HTC quality" 3mp camera that's pretty far from SE, Samsung and Nokia.

Just trying to open your mind as why Nokia is so popular in Europe and Asia :D

[bandigolo @ Dec 1st 2008 12:22PM]

Symbian may have a bigger overseas presence than WinMo, but 6.1 is hands down the best smartphone (pocket PC, actually) OS on the market. However, like anyone coming from a Symbian device (or BB or iPhone for that matter), the transition to WinMo is often clumsy and irritating. Thus, I don't see Nokia falling from grace any time soon with the release of any HTC phone. I do love my Diamond though! Perfectly adequate for use as a PMP, I might add. Doesn't affect battery life at all. I'm curious about this upcoming Nokia announcement...

[yokken @ Nov 30th 2008 8:43PM]

...are you kidding me? DO WANT. $550 is an absolutely incredible price for this phone, given that it SHOULD HAVE cost around $850 unsubsidized. I'd sell my Xbox 360 and my Blackberry Bold to get this puppy. It's too bad I just got my Bold 3 weeks ago.

I don't know why you're all whining about the price. It's an AMAZING price for a phone that bests the N95 and N96. The N95 was priced even higher than this when it came out, around $800. The N96 also costs around that, yet this phone is a better phone than the N96. This is a steal, IMO.

/me cries in a corner

[FLaSHBaCK @ Nov 30th 2008 8:49PM]

they're still making a killing in profit on this...

[Jack H @ Nov 30th 2008 10:25PM]

Bold+Xbox≠$850

[yokken @ Nov 30th 2008 10:26PM]

Bold+Xbox = $550

[craptacular @ Nov 30th 2008 8:51PM]

spectacular crap from a wana be iPhone kila

[Hung @ Nov 30th 2008 9:14PM]

This thing has 5 mega pix and the iphone has 2
this thing has Real gps, while the iphone has the subscription
this phone has stereo bluetooth while the iphone has none
this phone has copy and paste, while the iphone has highly paid patent lawyers
this phone has MMS! while the iphone relys on average joes to figure that out.

so who the heck are you to start comparing?

[um ok. @ Nov 30th 2008 9:35PM]

The hell you talkin' about?! The n85 ain't positioned to go a head to head against the iphone; it's not even a touch screen. Before you voice your steadfast opinion, do a little more research and compare "apples to apples" rather "apples to oranges"

[Hung @ Nov 30th 2008 8:57PM]

i work in a phone store, and umm...

we have been selling this thing for weeks now, with a $450 price tag,

did miss something here?

[JStro @ Nov 30th 2008 9:05PM]

Yes you did, you are screwing yourself out of an additional $106 profit on every phone.

Also, I thought phones were only sold in kiosks and online - I think you're missing that bandwagon too.

[Hung @ Nov 30th 2008 9:09PM]

we get it in, for 350, we are selling 19 peaces every day, im sure we are making profit.

if engadgeans need proof, i will gladly upload a photo or two.

[JStro @ Nov 30th 2008 9:17PM]

Touché

[Jeff @ Nov 30th 2008 9:18PM]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[solmar @ Nov 30th 2008 9:28PM]

And this is the unlocked phone?

Give me your store details, and I'll gladly go buy one.

[Hung @ Nov 30th 2008 9:31PM]

cellphone Central LLC.

1110 Washington Ave.
Philadelphia, pa 19147

http://www.philacellphonecentral.com/shop/

happy shopping

[Jack H @ Nov 30th 2008 10:12PM]

I thought- Alright!!! I live near there!!!
until i found every phone was contact for price and the N85 wasnt even there
or it wasnt under Nokia

major | facepalm |

[digitallysick @ Nov 30th 2008 10:33PM]

@Hung

Where is the nokia N85 at?? i dont see it on the page

[holycow @ Nov 30th 2008 11:12PM]

I'm guessing they're kinda lazy and don't want to update their website... so just go check in the store.

[thedesolate1 @ Nov 30th 2008 11:59PM]

Its probably the Euro Version with no USA warranty. Nokia doesn't have an international warranty. I have been waiting ages for this phone and couldn't find the American anywhere outside of ebay for extortionate price tags.

[tuna @ Dec 1st 2008 7:24PM]

But is it a legit US version with Nokia's US warranty support? It'd be pretty much a straight-out lie to claim so if Nokia hasn't officially announced this phone for the US market.