‘Sea Ray’ surfaces as Nokia’s first WP7 phone in leaked video

Earlier this year, the first Nokia Windows Phone 7 model concept designs were leaked, giving us a look at what we could possibly expect in October. Apparently Nokia is doing a pretty bad job keeping the unit under wraps as a Hungarian tech site claims to have a video featuring what is internally known as “Sea Ray.”

To make what looks like a leak even more embarrassing, the video opens with CEO Stephen Elop asking everyone at the meeting to put away any recording devices, as the information present was “super-confidential…and we do not want to see out in the blogosphere.” Oops.

Elop then introduced Sea Ray, the first Windows Phone 7 from Nokia. It’s Mango-based and has a Gorilla Glass protected screen, pillow-shaped back, and an 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash that can be used via the right-side button. If the description and images remind you of something, they should: The phone is quite similar to the just-released N9. The N9, the first and last MeeGo phone, was introduced earlier this week and the two handsets have a lot of in common – of course, aside from their operating systems. Other subtle differences include LED light placement as well as one small hardware difference: the dedicated side button for photo-taking, a WP7 requirement.

Windows recently previewed its Mango update, which was enthusiastically received and addresses many of the early criticisms WP7 received. Despite the very early leak (Sea Ray isn’t set to officially launch until October), initial feedback has been positive, and resulted in some renewed hope for the Microsoft-RIM merger. It’s almost enough to make us question the “leak.” Either way, it’s a good sign for Nokia and WP7. Check out the video for yourself below.