Nokia N97 sliding out on 19 June

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 2 Jun 2009 at 11:22

Nokia has confirmed that its N97 smartphone will hit UK shelves on 19 June.

The N97 is the company's new flagship smartphone and features a 3.5in resistive touchscreen display, as well as a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for those unconvinced by the software variants.

The smartphone will be initially available SIM-free for £499 from the Nokia shop on the 19 June. It will then be picked up by all the major networks (excluding 02) from 26 June, at which point subsidised deals will start to appear.

Nokia will be hoping the N97 helps claw back market share lost to Apple and RIM, however it'll be facing tough competition. Palm's highly anticipated Pre will launch in the US on 6 June. Apple is also expected to announce a revamped iPhone at the Worldwide Developer's Conference on 8 June.

The company will also be looking to the N97 to spread interest in its recently launched Ovi apps store. The N97 is the first handset to come with the service pre-loaded.