Nokia 5800i XpressMusic hits the FCC: it's like the 5800, only less so
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Jul 31st 2009 3:43PM
posted Jul 31st 2009 3:43PM
Over the years we've found that usually, when a company takes a model number and slaps an extra letter on the end of it, there's some sort of feature or update they're highlighting. iPhone 3GS? That one's easy: "speed." But if we're reading this FCC business correctly, Nokia's new 5800i XpressMusic handset apparently differs little from its older sibling -- save for the fact that they've removed that pesky WiFi antenna from the thing. Because, really, what would you do with all that connectivity, anyways? Also, while still sporting a 3 megapixel camera, those specs are listed as a 4.6mm on the new handset (the original is 3.7mm). As GSM Arena has pointed out, this could be due to either a narrower field of view or a larger sensor -- probably the latter. Not too much more info here, but if you're morbidly curious, please feel free to check out the gallery below. It's a blast.
Read - Nokia 5800i XM shows up. Loses Wi-Fi connectivity
Read - FCC teases with Nokia 5800i XM - better camera, but no Wi-Fi?
Read - Nokia 5800i XM shows up. Loses Wi-Fi connectivity
Read - FCC teases with Nokia 5800i XM - better camera, but no Wi-Fi?
Riiight.. so (in the UK) the iplayer app that lets you watch BBC tv progs and stuff requires that the shows are downloaded over wifi.. Nice one Nokia.. Nokia making mobile computers, not phones.. IBM XT anyone?
but seriously, folks.. someone shoot the product development head at Nokia..
the UK, hmm, do they ever talk about proper dental hygiene on BBC? Maybe you should spend less time in front of the of the "Tellee" and more time with some Colgate!
Although, there is a block put out by the bbc on the iplayer to only allow wifi streaming for the nseries app I highly doubt that was at Nokias request more like the data providers e.g 02, Orange didn't want their networks crippled by the increased traffic such an app would have like what the wired broadband providers first complained about when iPlayer was released.
Also there is a hack for the app that allows it to be used over 3G with verison 1.5 of the app not sure about others (thats the one i use) and allows non nokia devices that are compatabille to work as well.
@murmer
seriously?
@mumerrererrrerrer.. Wow.. you even managed to fit a colgate advert into your nonsensical reply.. where's the emoticon for "punches you in the face" ?
The removal of wifi antenna doesnt mean that the wifi is removed.
It could be that they are using the same antenna for wifi and 3G etc. There's no leaked spec. Only comparison of photographs and in photos they couldn't find the wifi antenna.
Theres a trend of using one antena for all radio signals. It actually surpriced me that 5800 uses separate wifi antenna as the wifi and 3G frequences are so close to each others. Maybe they corrected this in 5800i.
I sent in this tip, glad they published it
yawn, nokia phones suck and everyone knows it when the iphone becomes available on all carriers nokia is doomed
boring troll is boring
they must be really desperate for verizon to pick this up.
That's what I was thinking too.
wonder if this has a CDMA antenna? historically nokia adds the letter i to any of their CDMA phones
They are probably taking out the WIFI so they can sell it in China, WIFI on devices is illegal in China.
While, usually, I do appreciate Engadget's sarcasm, this was one amiss: 5800i has been developed for the Chinese market, hence no wifi The Chinese regulator doesn't allow wifi on phones sold in the country. Next time you make fun of a bestselling phone, you'll probably come up with a better punch line if you check your facts first.
It's OK, they'll update it when they realize they're wrong whilst simultaneously criticizing other writers for printing incorrect articles.
Wow, you seem personally offended. You're okay? Where on this doll...
Lame
Nokia, like most companies, lack someone like Steve Jobs (or the original visionary behind the Palm Pilot, Jeff Hawkins) who can look at a product or product range an say "That's crazy!, Don't do that, do this!" Effectively, they get it - like many posting on Engadget, GSMArena and other forums. If the leader of a company can foresee what the public want, then that company will do well. No matter your thoughts on Apple, they never step backwards and rarely do something intentionally plain stupid. What on Earth Nokia are doing by removing WiFi is beyond anyone's guess. With affordable (pocket) solar chargers becoming available, the battery life issue is slowly going to become less of concern. (See $35 solar charger launched today by Kodak.)
Why not leave the WiFi in and upgrade it by making the display capacitive rather than resistive? I'd buy one if it weren't for that fact.
I bet the WiFi has been removed at a US carriers request.
ala Verizon and VodaFone had RIM remove the WiFi off the Blackberry Storm.
(Vodafone own 45% of Verizon, Hummmh)
Yup, that was my thoughts.
Reminds me of my nokia 9300.
Cingular had them remove the wifi, all the people overseas got the good one.
Not too bad of a lesson though, i've learned now, unlocked phones only.
Learn to flash the firmware and get the wifi. just did with my c905a => c905 (ended up with India firmware .. except for the dd-mm-yy, I am really more than happy with the rest of what nokia has for India). You can do flashing for free. Or if you are scared. pay up 15 bucks to the da vinci guys for the 'debranding' (you won't get it by googling 'flashing'; try 'debranding')
Come on Nokia. Drop Symbian, replace it with Android and put in a glass capacitive touch-screen. Virtually no extra costs and 5800XM would lose it's only major two drawbacks. Everybody wins. But first you need to pull your heads out of your asses and start listening to what customers want. Otherwise even the KIRF phones will catch up.
Sure, that's why the 5800's been the top selling smartphone in Europe this year.
this is obviously a model for the chinese market, Nokia always takes out WiFi from models that are sold in china (eg. N95-5/6)
Wait...what is this...another phone that looks exactly like the iPhone? Come on people, just get an iPhone!
The extra i at the end of the name means international. Sony Ericsson have been doing the same thing for years, their phones for the European market have ended with an e.
The iPhone wasn't really following any model naming trend afaik.
no wifi? please please be a sick joke
What's the FCC got to do with China?
I'm guessing this ones for AT&T. They ripped the FM radio out of the E71x as well,
in favor of XM radio application. That's what the "x" stands for (ok, there was some OS upgrade as well).
Nokia is ok, US carriers suck.
I got my unlocked E63 and use WiFi all the time. No data plan, no message plan.
They get enough of my money already.
This is all so stupid. Nokia has a problem. iPhones have a lack of the speaker. If you expect people to play music on a iPhone may I suggest you to get a better speaker for it. I have a Sony Ericsson G502 and C902 and I love them more than anything. 1) the speaker is the best 2) They are both unlocked I only used unlocked phones.
I personally don't want to hear other people's music coming out of a phone. I don't care how good the speaker is because the quality is going to be horrible coming out of such a small device. I'm quite alright with iphone users having to use headphones. I'm sick of hearing people on the subway rocking out on a phone so that everyone can hear. Anyone who cares about music should care enough to hear it come out of decent headphones or real speakers - otherwise it just seems like someone shouting, "hey look at me, I can play music on my phone!"
Sure, wearing headphones in the shower is really, really practical.
I had a nice comment all typed out, but I decided I could give a flying fuck less.