XpressMusic 5800i, we knew it was coming, but the leak from FCC, the US regulatory body has proved to be a shocker for 5800 community. 5800i is an update of the immensely popular 5800 but our friends at Nokia have packed a surprise with their latest XpressMusic device.
Nokia have decided to strip the Wi-Fi capability of 5800 in the 5800i. Confused! We said update, right? The update comes in the form of better optics: focal distance of 4.6 mm replacing the 3.7mm focal distance of the predecessor. More pictures and related Nokia 5800i tidbits after the break.
Nokia 5800i Images:
Image Courtesy: GSM Arena
We are yet to get our hands on an official media release from Nokia, but going by the leaked images from the FCC website, we can say that 5800i looks exactly the same as our 5800s and only on closed observation, can one spot the improved optics (larger focal distance) inscribed on the rear panel of the leaked device.
It looks like that the 5800i is headed for China as it uses WCDMA 900/2100MHz alongside quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, which lines up nicely with China Unicom. If you can notice, the label is also in Chinese. So this may be a smart move from Nokia to launch the 5800i in China before the Chinese iPhone lands there (which also lacks Wi-Fi).
While we are still not able to fathom the absence of Wi-Fi in the updated version of our 5800s, improved camera performance is something we were looking forward to in 5800i. Nokia seems to be indulging in a dangerous game in its pursuit of keeping the price down of their entry level smartphones. Remember the 5530 XpressMusic phone, Nokia stripped 3G out of this device and now they have gotten rid of Wi-Fi from 5800i.
We are not really impressed by these latest developments but we are glad that our Tube 5800 continues to rule the roost with its complete communication cum entertainment package. So, fellow 5800ers, we can continue to flaunt around our 5800s and you know to brag about if you happen to encounter a 5530 or 5800i user in the near future!
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Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 12:59 am
I’ve read some people saying that this 5800i is the “Chinese version” of the 5800 (they say Wi-Fi is not allowed in phones in China).
That’s why this 5800i has no Wi-Fi. Can’t confirm that this is true or not, but it makes sense.
Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 5:28 am
I lived out in China for 7 months, Wifi is allowed, and is frequently used. My guess is that if the Iphone doesnt have it then they see it as not needed to get people to want the phone. Probably making it cheaper, and encouraging people to have to pay to use 3g internet.
Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 am
whew. i thought it was better, for me having a wi-fi on phone is a must. 5800!!
Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
yeah..when I first heard about 5800i, thought like I may miss somthing but now I feel glad that I took a right decision with my 5800.
Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 pm
i thought the same,like when i got my 5800,n97 came out 2 days later,and before when i had n96,5800 came out a week later…..
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
That’s a good point that the 5800i is no better than the normal 5800 coz I would have been bored to change a phone I only bought 6 months ago ! ^^
Keep this blog going it’s greaaaaaaaaaaat ! =D
Thursday, August 6th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
No official Chinese release mobile phones are allowed to have wifi built in in China. But there are plenty of gray market phones that enter the market from hong kong which have wifi but they Hsdpa (3.5g) are not even compatible with chinas 3g network. If you go to Nokia you’d find all their phones castrated (term used to describe the Chinese versions)
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 at 12:52 am
i have nokia 5800i , its ok to use, but its version is not updating, any help ???