Nokia 5800 XpressMusic firmware v21 starting to circulate?

Through the magic of modern technology, a phone that begins life as a fancy paperweight stands at least a fighting chance of improving to the point of being very usable, if not downright good -- it all depends on the manufacturer's desire and willingness to see things through, and generally speaking, Nokia has been better than most about getting firmware right over time. It looks like the hotly-anticipated v21 update for the 5800 is starting to light up on various product codes around the world, with Hong Kong (and possibly Pakistan) the first to ring it in with a warm welcome. Major improvements are said to be found in the camera and in the device's overall performance -- so, early updaters, how's it treating you?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2009 8:24AM]

For anyone that would like to be an early adopter and wants to change the country product code on your phone, here are the ones available:

Firmware version 21.0.025 is currently available for following HK product codes: 0575407, 0575408, 0581337 but it should be ready for most of the generic product codes from EMEA and APAC region within the next couple of days.

[DestrictoEnse Posted Apr 21st 2009 8:54AM]

According to dailymbile, the HK firmware has been pulled. A Finland product number FW is now available..
Also, major camera improvements is overstating somewhat.

[RageTek Posted Apr 21st 2009 9:20AM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wqhKHTJbgs
Youtube video's loading MUCH faster now.
Camera doesn't have any major improvement, but either way, this is v21, a minor update from v20. Features like kinetic (flick) scrolling, desktop widgets, camera improvements may be possible in the update that will come after n97's release, which may all be included with the ovi store firmware update then...

[spanishgringo Posted Apr 21st 2009 9:33AM]

This post sure looks like it was written by an Engadget editor who is an Apple fanboy. Oh wait, this is Engadget. It is redundant to call an "Engadget editor" an "Apple fanboy".

[Chris Posted Apr 21st 2009 10:07AM]

Do you have any idea what a tired burn that is? And more importantly, what could you POSSIBLY be seeing in this post that would make you say that?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2009 10:40AM]

I think it's the "fancy paperweight" dig -- it's not a perfect phone, but still...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2009 11:48AM]

Michael "troll" Freeman.

Happy 5800XM owner here o/

New firmwares are coming fast, that can only mean Nokia :P

[fikhl Posted Apr 21st 2009 12:48PM]

@Michael Freeman

WTF?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2009 2:03PM]

Pffft, anyone who pays attention knows Engadget editors are Palm fanboys before anything else.

[RageTek Posted Apr 21st 2009 2:06PM]

@michael freeman
lol dude as much as i dislike apple, i really don't see any apple-biased comment in the post. Sure the whole 'paperweight' thing was a bit harsh but then i, being a 4month old owner of this phone, have to somewhat agree... it has its fair share of problems. Luckily its nokia n they're workin well to fix those problems. Most of the bugs that caused phone crashes have been looked into, making this phone more stable. Nokia is headed in a good direction. First release updates making the os stable for normal use, then add applications and features.

As for the camera, it does good enough for something that's uk's best selling music-centric phone WITH wifi and 3g and A-GPS and so many more things. If your main interest was a good camera, going for a canon or sony digicam would be a better option... ;-)

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2009 10:12PM]

Iphone Iphone Iphone,........ok are we done with this Iphone is the best phone ever BS yet?

[Will54880 Posted Apr 21st 2009 12:54PM]

I still don't understand how a camera with a Carl Zeiss lens can take such terrible pictures.

[DestrictoEnse Posted Apr 21st 2009 1:04PM]

A Zeiss lens, deprecated in value as it is by its association to Nokia photography in the first place, will never do much to help a pin-head cmos sensor. Look to Sony Ericsson for photos, Nokias for features.

[hellfroze Posted Apr 21st 2009 2:19PM]

I've sadly discovered this first hand :(

I find myself longing for the camera on my (previous) W810i, even though it's nothing special, the 5800XM has been such a disappointment on that front. And for me, the camera is feature #1 as far as usage goes...

[RageTek Posted Apr 21st 2009 2:27PM]

I'm really sorry to hear that harry, but this is just not a cam-centric phone. Its camera can be comparably a better than those sucky s40 phones like 6300.. but its not as good as the n series cams or as the sony cybershot ones.. But for everythin else it offers, i'll have to say the camera is just satisfactory. Not great, not decent, just satisfactory.

[hellfroze Posted Apr 21st 2009 2:41PM]

Indeed, I think my expectations were based on what I had read about the N-series cameras. I assumed the 5800XM used similar hardware (Zeiss lens etc), and at 3Mpx, I was expecting "better" than the 2Mpx W810i. Just goes to show how megapixels aren't everything.

As you say, the camera is satisfactory, especially in good lighting, so it's not a deal breaker. But definitely the weakest point on an otherwise fun phone for me.

[hellfroze Posted Apr 21st 2009 1:00PM]

I don't see any mention of it, but I hope there are fixes for the bluetooth stack - that's the one area my otherwise robust phone has been flakey/wonky. Between two headsets (one speakerphone in the car, one A2DP receiver), it'll often fail to connect or even crash the phone (or the speakerphone!!!). Very aggravating.

[RageTek Posted Apr 21st 2009 2:09PM]

i did read some user's post on dailymobile forums that the bluetooth connection loss problems were fixed. they apparently were able to connect to their headsets without problems...

[hellfroze Posted Apr 21st 2009 2:18PM]

Wow, that would be great news for me, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 23rd 2009 3:31AM]

@Harry

But it's still a phone. Not a camera device..

Music features is its main feature.

Checking out Navifirm, available firmware for download are those of HK and Taiwan. Have tried v21 using both Navifirm and Phoenix.