Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Nokia Introduces Stylish 8800 Phone

Ian Bell
By

From the press release:

Encased in a slim stainless steel body, the Nokia 8800 subtly glides open to reveal a number of distinctive details, each meticulously considered and researched to complement the prestige and quality of the device. To heighten the experience, the Nokia 8800 features exclusive audio accompaniment, including all ringtones and alerts, by award-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. This attention to detail continues Nokia’s heritage of premium mobile phones that have set the industry standard for elegance and performance.

Recommended Videos

With a Zen-like goal to balance form and functionality, the guiding principle of Nokia’s designers and engineers was to create a truly modern mobile phone, the epitome of style and elegance,which would be a pleasure to use and a delight to behold. The organic flowing lines and dynamic surfaces perfectly complement the stainless steel and resin materials — steel for its tensile strengthand durability, and resin for its organic properties. The result is an elegant, ‘human’ design, comprised of materials destined to age with grace.   Nokia 8800
Nokia 8800   Finding inspiration in non-traditional sources, Nokia designers employed modern watch-making techniques, such as the use of metal injection molding on the function keys. Aspecially reinforced glass used in luxury timepieces provides added toughness and scratch-resistance to the front display, and even the Nokia marque has been chemically etched on the back plate usinga process typically used by watchmakers.   The ‘pop-up’ mechanism of the Nokia 8800 is another study in functional design. Using a bi-stable spring mechanism and stainless steel ball bearings,like those used in high-performance automobiles, the keypad of the Nokia 8800 gracefully glides from its protective casing, revealing a hidden camera on the back.   The aural accompaniment ofthe Nokia 8800 is equally inspired.  Award-winning composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto was commissioned to compose the ringtones and alerts. Throughout his distinguished career, Sakamoto hascrossed musical and technological boundaries, experimenting with different musical styles and making a name for himself in popular, orchestral and film music.   Inspired by its modern lines andorganic curves, Sakamoto has produced a musical accompaniment for the Nokia 8800 that captures an essence and emotion that touches both heart and mind. His creation draws on his vision of the Nokia8800 user — a world citizen constantly on the move, making an impression in a grayscale world and through great cities such as New York, Paris, Sydney and Shanghai.   “Subtlety and refinementare requirements of modern high design, appealing to consumers who place a high value in quality and attention to detail,” explains Frank Nuovo, Nokia’s Chief Designer. “We believe the Nokia 8800belongs in this pantheon of iconic products – a sophisticated mobile communication device that quietly earns a nod of appreciation and admiration from other connoisseurs of fine taste.”  The Nokia 8800 is expected to begin shipping in select markets during the second quarter of 2005. Estimated retail price, before subsidies or taxes, is expected to be 750EUR. Also today in New York,Nokia introduced the Nokia 8801, a new device that shares the same premium design details and features, but is designed expressly for the Americas market. The Nokia 8801 is expected to begin shippingin the third quarter of 2005. The Nokia Wireless Stereo Headset, introduced today, is expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2005.

Editors' Recommendations

Ian Bell
Ian Bell
Publisher
I work with the best people in the world and get paid to play with gadgets. What's not to like?
HMD Global shows its serious about U.S. expansion with 5 new Nokia phones
HMD Global's range of new Nokia phones at CES 2022.

HMD Global has big plans for the U.S. market, and at CES 2022 it has revealed a new range of devices that cost less than $250, all coming out over the next months. Buoyed by LG and ZTE both leaving the U.S., it has struck lucrative deals with T-Mobile, Tracfone, Verizon, and other carriers to supply Nokia phones on pre-paid contracts, including low-cost feature phones.

To help achieve its ambitious targets in the U.S. for the coming year -- it's targeting number one in feature phones, and number three in pre-paid smartphones -- it has announced five new U.S. exclusive phones that will arrive during the first six months of the year. Top of the list is an affordable 5G phone, followed by three 4G phones, and a new feature phone with Kai OS software onboard.

Read more
Nokia’s new G300 may be the most affordable 5G phone in the U.S.
Image of the Nokia G300 filming.

HMD Global is releasing the Nokia G300, its most affordable 5G phone yet, and possibly one of the cheapest ones to ever launch in North America. Releasing on October 19, the phone will cost $199 and come in a charcoal color. However, it can only be purchased from the sellers Tracfone Wireless and Straight Talk Wireless. Nokia's already announced and released six other phones across three series in 2021.

“We take pride in creating life-proof phones that you can keep for longer thanks to the durability of our devices inside and out," said Cristian Capelli, vice president, North America, HDM Global. "What we have achieved with the Nokia G300 is an elevated yet affordable 5G smartphone with a two-day battery life, meaning you and your family don't need to be chained to a charging cord, and you’ll have more time for the things that matter."

Read more
New Nokia G50 signals HMD Global’s leap into affordable 5G phones
Nokia G50 held in hand.

HMD Global has joined the ranks of smartphone companies launching really affordable 5G phones with the new Nokia G50. It costs $299 or 200 British pounds, putting it up against devices like the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G, the Realme 8 5G, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G.

It’s obvious from this list that HMD Global is up against considerable competition, so what does the Nokia G50 offer? The specification will be a familiar one if you’ve been following the low-cost 5G phone trend recently. The processor inside is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480 with matching 5G modem, and a choice of either 4GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB storage, or as a 6GB/128GB version.

Read more