Samsung Innov8, Nokia N96 and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 due soon

3rd September 2008
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Two of the year's biggest handsets are due to hit the streets very soon, with one to follow next month.. hopefully!

MobileBurn reports that the Samsung Innov8 i8510 has started shipping in Europe, exclusively to Orange. This 8 megapixel multimedia monster is certainly one of the most impressive looking phones that we have ever seen, and offers strong competition to Nokia's N-Series. The fact that Orange seem to have an exclusive deal on this handset is very good news for Orange, and it might well tempt some customers away from other networks.

Competing head-on with the Samsung is the Nokia N96 which has been a long wait. Nokia say that the N96 is available now at around €550 before tax and carrier discount. Although the N96 is clearly very well specified, we're not sure how much use the DVB-H receiver is going to be.. it might be that the Samsung is a better bet.

After rumours of delays and even cancellations, The Register reports that the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 will launch next month for an eye-watering €740 SIM-free. But just how ready will it be when it comes out? Owners of the P990 will remember that the handset was full of bugs when it was released. Can Sony Ericsson come up with something more stable with the X1?