After enduring Motorola's runaway success with the Razr V3 clamshell handset, Nokia is betting that its new 8800 tri-band slider phone will put the company back on top in the lucrative premium mobile phone market.
The Finnish giant has drawn on modern watchmaking and jewellery techniques to come up with an iconic, stylishly designed and pricey handset fit for connoisseurs of quality.
Encased in a slim stainless steel body, the 8800 weighs about 134 grams and measures 107x45x16.5mm. Nokia says the phone's flowing lines and dynamic surfaces perfectly complement the stainless steel and resin materials used. Steel provides tensile strength and durability, while resin is credited for its organic properties. The result is an industrial design expected to age with grace.
The 'slide-up' mechanism of the 8800 is a study in functional design.
Using a bi-stable spring mechanism and stainless steel ball bearings, like those used in high-performance cars, the 8800's keypad gracefully glides from its protective casing, revealing a hidden camera on the back.
It also subtly glides open to reveal a number of distinctive details - all meticulously considered and researched by Nokia to complement the device's performance.