I’m Saying “NO” to the N95 8GB NAM
The US-3G compatible N95 8GB was in the rumor mill for a while and after leaking it themselves, Nokia has officially announced it at CES. This my friends, is the device that I’ve been waiting for. Despite slower USB data transfer speeds, it takes everything I love about my N95-3 and packs it into a much more attractive device with a bigger display. I considered picking up the Euro-spec version a few times but decided that I enjoy 3G/HSDPA far too much to lose it for another version of the same phone. Now that the US version is here however, you would think that I would be first in line to pick one up when it becomes available in a week or two. (btw Mark, I’m loving the site redesign!)
Instead I have decided that I will absolutely not be purchasing this device, as great as it may be. My decision is not based on necessity (I can’t remember the last time I bought a phone because I “needed” to) and it’s not based on money. My decision is based solely on principle.
What’s my problem with the N95 8GB NAM? It’s simple. I have to say that I’m less than happy with Nokia’s tactics to date with regards to US-spec devices. Yes, I am ecstatic that Nokia is offering high-end S60 devices with US high-speed data compatibility, but I am also very irritated by Nokia’s US road map so far. I hate - I repeat, hate - the fact that Nokia releases Euro-spec devices first and then doubles back to release their US-spec counterparts.
Let me clarify that last statement. I have no problem with Nokia making separate versions of the same device for different markets. Of course we would all prefer a single device with multi-region 3G/HSDPA compatibility, but it is what it is. I also don’t mind that Nokia issues their Euro-spec devices first and then follows up with a NAM version at a later time. That’s fine - the US is hardly Nokia’s biggest market. What teeters on the board of disgusting me however, is the fact that Nokia releases Euro-spec devices in the US market; pushes them online, in flagship stores and through distributors; and then does the same thing months later with the US-spec version. This is a disrespectful, money-hungry practice that in my opinion is borderline devious.
Nokia, please… This is so very unlike you. You claim that S60’s presence in the US is a big focus for you now and this is your tactic? Great, so a Windows Mobile user sees an S60 device and falls in love. He runs out and buys one for $700, only to discover three months down the road that there is now a US version? What kind of taste is this going to leave in his mouth? He just went from a $100 Blackjack with HSDPA to a $700 S60 device with EDGE and now he learns that he could’ve waited a few months and purchased the device with HSDPA for the same price. Guess what? He’s pissed! But wait, he also sees a flurry of new HSDPA-compatible Windows Mobile devices being released and he can pick one up with a service contract for $150-$200. Do you think you’re going to keep this customer for very long?
The N95 8GB NAM is the second time we’ve seen this happen, but it won’t be the last. Ok, I’ll let the N95-3 slide as it was the first S60 3rd device to be US-HSDPA friendly and it wet our palates nicely. Now it’s the N95 8GB however, and guess what? We’re not too far away from a US-spec N82. That’s right, all of those people who are about to run out and spend a small fortune on the N82 are going to be nice and upset once they find out they could have waited a few months and enjoyed HSDPA compatibility.
Leave US sales of new Euro-spec devices to the importers, Nokia. Fanboys have no trouble getting their fix online. These imported devices were still purchased from you in Europe and Asia so you’re still getting paid. Maybe the margins are tighter and maybe you won’t make the money you would have on direct sales, but you’ll have far fewer angry newcomers who will in turn be more likely to purchase additional devices in the future. You’ll also have fewer angry fanboys (and potential new fanboys!). Save the direct US sales and US-distributor sales for the US-spec devices, if they will eventually be released in NAM form.
2008 is going to be a great year for Nokia and I really hope that my sources were correct about the fact that the upcoming NAM Nseries QWERTY device will be release at the same time or even before the Euro-spec version. If not, there’s a good chance that I may go the full year without a single new S60 device - S60 Touch included…
subscribe to comments made about this post
