Orange bringing Comes With Music-equipped Nokia 5800 XpressMusic to UK

What a difference a year and a half makes, eh? It was August of 2007 when Orange first got all weird on Nokia over the then-wild concept of a manufacturer-owned and operated music store -- bear in mind the iPhone hadn't launched very widely at that time -- and look how far we've come. The two companies have just announced that the venerable Nokia 5800 XpressMusic will be available starting May 29 loaded up with Comes With Music, Nokia's all-you-can-eat service that brings endless downloadable tracks through its Music Store. In Orange's case, Comes With Music will be available on any of five special plans starting at £25 a month (about $38), meaning that you'll be able to nab music for the duration of your two-year contract. As long as DRM's in the mix, you're basically locked into your contract for as long as you want the definitive Bryan Adams collection that you've downloaded -- so we're hoping Nokia nixes that nightmare sooner rather than later. And hey, congrats, Orange customers -- you're the first Brits to officially be offered this through a carrier, and you'll be getting it in an "exclusive" black / silver color combo.

[mrspiteri @ May 13th 2009 5:59AM]

2 year contract? wtf?
I got my G1 on a 12 month-er and looking how things are shaping up, come January I think i'll be quite happy with that!
Orange or indeed people, are crazy if they'll take that abuse.

[Jayconverge @ May 13th 2009 6:51AM]

exactly, 18 month contracts are bad enough, but 2 years?
next thing you know they'll be charging us for the phones...

[wrs589 @ May 13th 2009 12:03PM]

Probably just a typo. I doubt they'd put that on a £25 24 month contract, Vodafone gave me one for free, £20 p/m 12 month contract.

[callum @ May 13th 2009 7:05AM]

O my god ! i will never sign an 24 month contract. i did an 18 month contract with aol and they fucked me over. once you are signed up they dont care. my 18 month orange contract is just about bearable with my c905.

[Rob Bourne @ May 13th 2009 8:44AM]

24 Month contracts are creeping in more often lately.

I got my 5800 on O2 24 Month for £15pm. That's cheaper than I'd spend on prepay and the phone was free!

Contract length generally doesn't bother me as long as I'm getting a good deal for my Monthly spend. If I get bored of a phone, I just sell/trade.

[retardo @ May 13th 2009 4:01PM]

I got this phone as a free upgrade with my contract earlier today. It's absolute balls. And whats up with thespeedbump around it?