N97 Enters Tough Battle

Yet another phase of battle has started when N97 was launched by Nokia this week as part of its ongoing N-series high-end phones. N97 joins the battle with smartphone juggernaut BlackBerry Storm with touch screen, iPhone touchscreen, HTC touch phones, and Samsung touch phones in a bid to win the ultimate crown -- customers heart. All these phones are targeting to quench the customers' thirst on rich user experience from enterprise applications and entertainment applications on a converged plaftform.

It seems N97 also is targeted at professionals using Internet applications on the go. Nokia said it is designed for the needs of Internet-savvy consumers to transform the way people connect to the Internet and to each other. The Nokia N97 adopts the concept of a personalized home screen that lets people choose their favorite content, providing an ‘always open’ window to applications and/or Internet content such as social networking sites, RSS feeds and other widgets in addition to Ovi feeds. It is expected that this smartphone will be available in India in June end at an expected competetive price of Rs 33, 500 for Indian market.

The Nokia N97 will be the first Nokia device to offer integrated access to the newly opened Ovi Store. It has integraetd its e-series phones enterprise appliactions with entertainment applications, much similar line to the BlackBerry family products.

According to TS Sridhar, Regional General Manager-South, Nokia India, “The Nokia N97 combines the best of the mobile phone and personal internet experience. Together with the host of content on Ovi Store, the Nokia N97 adjusts to the world around us, helping stay connected to the people and things that matter most.”

On the device being branded as mobile computer, Axel Meyer, Head of Design, Nokia Nseries, said, “Our extensive consumer research shows that many people desire a device that blends the internet functionality of a personal computer with the features and connectivity of a high-end smartphone in one compact device.”

The other smartphone from RIM (Research In Motion), BlackBerry Storm with its catch phrase 'Press and Be Impressed', and touch screen and cutting-edge multimedia capabilities stormed the Indian market in January this year with exclusive tie-up with Vodafone. It is available with 3G feature with built-in GPS, but lacks Wi-Fi and FM radio. It is clickable and SurePress touch phone is its innovation. Its touch screen with 3.25-inches display with Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate is the top most important feature.

BlackBerry family phones from RIM have already dominated the enterprise mobility solutions market with a 50 mn unit sales worldwide till date and are aggressively sold by registering about 100% growth in the last fiscal. BlackBerry storm, the first touch screen phone from BlackBerry is available at a price of Rs 27,990 in India which is much lesser than its Bold's which is available Rs 34990. Its wide touchscreen can be used vertically and horizontally as well.

Apple's iPhone has hit Indian market through Airtel and Vodafone. The price is ranging between 31,000 to 36,100. Apart from having 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display it also offers Internet over 3G and Wi-Fi is an added advantage, whereas HTC Touch Diamond 2 with Wi-Fi but without 3G is available at Rs 29990 in India.

According to analysts, BlackBerry's in-built security features are having an edge over iPhone. The latter is better looking but lacked basic security features. With the latest iPhone 3Gs, Apple seems to have addressed that concern. However, experts believe iPhone is still behind BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Bold, and BlackBerry Curve. When we compare the price, BlackBerry Storm stands to gain in the price sensitive Indian market at present with Rs 27900 which is considerably lower than at least iPhones, N97, HTC touch phone. So, one thing is obvious that the war has intensified, but we have to wait and watch to see who will be the winner.

Kannan K
kannan@cybermedia.co.in