The launch of iPhone and the pre-launch hype surrounding it is still fresh in every body’s minds. To cash in on the thanda response to iPhone Nokia is all set to release an iPhone rival in less than a months time – the Nokia N96 – which set to release on September 16th.
This piece boasts a 5 mega pixel camera (Carl Zeiss optics) and comes with a default memory size of 16 GB and expandable up to 24 GB.
But again this little gadget does not come cheap – with a price tag Rs.34, 999, although less than the price of 16GB iPhone version, still pretty heavy on the pocket
Unlike Iphone, Nokia N96 does not have a touch screen (thats probably the only dampener in this near perfect phone). So for those of you who want to feel things, this might not be for you. Although a nifty keypad sure makes up for it – Infact many prefer a keypad over touch screen.
The list of features is pretty impressive. It contains GPS navigation with high quality maps, multiple ways to connect to you PC, and camcorder mode.
It is also pre-loaded with a unique security feature which helps you track your phone if is lost and also back-up all your data via internet.
The phone also comes pre-loaded with ‘Om Shanti Om’ movie, along with music videos, and Hindi songs. N96 also contains maps of 8 Indian cities.
I think you can forward SMS unlike iPhone (need to confirm). I don’t think Nokia would miss that considering their long presence in India and knowing Indian customers well.
This clearly looks like a better phone compared with HTC diamond (touted as iphone rival), we just have to wait and see how it fares against iPhone in India. Besides, the sales of iPhone have been pretty slow and Airtel has introduced EMI option (for purchasing iPhone) to boost sales.
I think it is perfect time to launch this phone. Number of people have shown their back to iPhone and that customer base is waiting to be pounced on. Lets see if N96 is successful in garnering these customers.
What is your take? will Indian high end users adopt N96 over iPhone?
Author: Sriram Vadlamani
Sriram Vadlamni is a IT professional and an avid blogger. He blogs about India business at Indianomics.com and you can follow him on twitter @indianomics (Email: sriram.vadlamani@gmail.com)Related posts:
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Nokia N96 will win hands down in battle at least in India. They have a long presence in the country & know Indian consumers really well. Remember they introduced the torch phone in the Ultra Low Cost handset category with much success. Plus the fact that I phone is priced really high with lock in contracts which the Indian consumers would not be comfortable with, puts N96 head and shoulders above I-phone as far as India is concerned.