The XpressMusic 5800 comes with a 3.2 inch display, a 3.5 mm audio jack, a 3.2 MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, 3G connectivity and an 8GB microSD card in the box. However, what remains to be seen is the S60 5th edition platform UI and how it compares to the likes of the Apple iPhone, Samsung Omnia and now, the T-Mobile G1.

For starters, Nokia has gone with a resistive touchscreen than a capacitive one, which means that users will have to use a stylus rather than a finger to prod the screen. This will be a big test for Nokia, especially in the European and American markets, where consumers are hooked on to their iPhone’s and swear by its touchscreen and UI. On its part, Nokia has embedded some sensors, used haptic touch and added a media and contacts bar but it is too early to say whether that will be enough to hide the similar UI that the new platform shares with the earlier non-touchscreen one.

What certainly will go in Nokia’s favour is the indicative pricing of Euro 279 or slightly above Rs 18,000 before subsidies and taxes. That’s great news for the Indian market, where the iPhone hasn’t done the brisk business expected out of it owing to its high pricing and yet being locked to a carrier. Nokia tried to tackle the iPhone with its N96 but it forgot that the two products have nothing but the price-tag in common. We believe that Nokia, with the XpressMusic 5800, has a good chance of acquiring consumers who wanted to buy the iPhone but have not gone for one owing to its price. No, we don’t think that the XpressMusic 5800 is revolutionary or will set new benchmarks. Instead, this game will be won on pricing rather than the ‘Wow Factor’.