Nokia 5800 XpressMusic with North American 3G coming to flagship stores soon, probably tomorrow

Circumstantial evidence continues to suggest that we're on track for a February release of Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic in New World flavor, featuring quadband EDGE plus hearty helpings of 850 and 1900MHz HSDPA -- and if you're close to the New York or Chicago flagship stores, that release might be right around the corner. The Nokia Blog cites a trusted source that we'll see both locations unleash the 5800 tomorrow afternoon for $399; we called the Chicago store and were told that it'd likely be released within a week, "but you might want to try back tomorrow." In other words, yeah, tomorrow's looking like a lock, unless something goes horribly wrong, the shipping truck flips somewhere along a deserted stretch of I-80, and hundreds of precious handhelds lie scattered across the asphalt.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 24th 2009 6:37PM]

My non-US 5800's on its way back to Nokia for repair. The long awaited v20 firmware update bricked it. Makes a buzzing sound when you press start. Otherwise- dead, dead.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 24th 2009 6:38PM]

Sorry- point being- phone worked well while I had it (month or 2). Liked some features a lot but I'm going to replace w/ the N79. The 3.2mp camera was just too poor compared to the N82. I hope the N79's a little closer (but w/ feature pack 2 & a better keypad, battery life).

[EpsilonNot Posted Feb 24th 2009 8:18PM]

The question is whether any US carrier (the only real choice is at&t due to the 3G frequencies in question) picks it up, but I guess the answer to that is doomed to be a resounding "no"... it's a shame, I do like this phone in theory. (Not really digging the guitar pick, though)

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 24th 2009 8:27PM]

bought the non-NAM version of the nokia 5800 for $350 a while back, I didnt need 3G or anything, and so far lovin it. havnt had any real problems with it except a lil bit of creakiness around the casing, and the colors on the screen go hangwire every now and then, but that can be solved with another firmware update. When i updated to v20 firmware, it didnt brick (that sucks anthony), but it was faster, so my advice, if u want a touchscreen phone with great features, but at a cheap price, get it!

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 24th 2009 9:19PM]

It's nice but I compared my HTC touch HD and my (workphone) Samsung Omnia with the 5800 belonging to some friends who bought it (here it has been available since last month) and I'm not specially impressed, My 2 smartphones are more expensive but offer much more too.
I'm hanging out for the Nokia N97, because I often still miss the reliability and excellent camera of my old N95 and N95 8gb, and I hope the N97 will give me that and the modern touch screen functionality I now expect from a smartphone.
But before committing to Nokia again I wanna check out HTC's Touch pro2 and Whitestone, Archos new Android smartphone/PMP, and maybe also Toshiba TG01, oh and if it will really be released soon that incredible Samsung Show with inbuilt projector, and The new OmniaHD too.
Jezz It's never been so difficult to choose a phone.

[fikhl Posted Feb 25th 2009 1:49PM]

@chris: That stupid color problem is now a pretty well-known subject on the internet - forums suggest "Display bug" for that matter - I know it's pretty annoying but I'm gettin' used to it!
http://s60blog.com/2009/01/nokia-5800-xpressmusic-display-bug/
and I don't think any firmware upgrade would fix it,because I think Nokia was aware of the issue well before the V20 came out, and it didn't/couldn't fix it. BTW I'm sticking to the original firmware to avoid those Anthony's kinda nightmares! ;) (It was sad to hear that Anthony)

[Po Posted Feb 24th 2009 10:45PM]

I'm still trying to make up my mind between this phone, Palm Pre or Nokia E75 or maybe the Nokia N97. I'm kinda eye-ballin' the Palm Pre though.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 24th 2009 11:41PM]

If you've got the cash, I'd suggest the N97. Seems to combine the best of all worlds.

Out of the other two, I'd suggest the E75. IMO, it;s got the best form factor, plus you get a fully qwerty that's a lot bigger than the Pre's. Def keep an eye on the Pre though, see how the reviews are.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 25th 2009 4:15PM]

To each their own...

Any of the above-mentioned phones would work well and provide most people with what they are looking for in a mobile phone... If not, K-9 is still looking for Bugs...

5800, N97, OmniaHD, Pre. Those are the 4 on my short list right now. As for being "subsidized," I really don't care... Of course, your mileage and choice may differ.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 25th 2009 9:38AM]

I stopped by the Chicago store yesterday. The sales guy was very vague, saying "hoping to get it sometime this week". Apparently, it will be all black, without the XM red or blue stripe.

I, of course, was hoping to negotiate an invite to the launch event, but he claimed there is no launch event. Is this true Engadget? If there is a launch event, can you email me your spare invites? ;)

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 25th 2009 12:36PM]

Its just to bad Nokia didn't make this a tri-band 3G. That would have been awesome!