Nokia 8600 "Luna" gets official

Nokia's newest and oft rumored "Luna" is finally getting its turn in the spotlight and oh, how it shines. This Series 40 phone features quadband GSM / EDGE, a 2 megapixel camera, translucent smoked glass slider over the keypad, and Nokia's first use of a micro-USB port. Of course, this isn't just any Series 40 handset -- okay, well maybe it is, unless it's rolling with the 5th gen release -- this is top of the line stuff where price is concerned and you will be paying $700 for the luxury of picking one up. The 8600 handset is crafted from stainless steel and glass -- and that glass bit, plus the price, is just the ticket for lakes of giant crybaby tears if one of these guys ever hits the pavement. No word on carrier availability yet, but with release planned for sometime in Q2, we have plenty of time to fill in those blanks. Oh yeah, check out Engadget Mobile for a full gallery!

[wsjchoi @ May 31st 2007 1:22PM]

can anyone confirm the existence of an expansion memory slot? or stereo bluetooth?

looks like another high-end fashion phone for the wealthy.

[halfeatenfish @ May 31st 2007 1:37PM]

Yup.. that iPhone sure is expensive...

[Bart Lee @ May 31st 2007 1:47PM]

Yes, someone please alert Steve Ballmer that there is a phone that costs more than $500.

[ZSX @ May 31st 2007 1:40PM]

The 8600 is free with carrier subsidy here in the U.K. From what I understand, the iPhone is $499 and $599 with carrier subsidy in the U.S.

Is this true?

[bruce @ May 31st 2007 2:28PM]

Don't know yet. It hasn't been released. I have one big word for owners of either device "insurance". Subsidized or not, if you break it you're gonna pay full price if you don't insure it. OUCH.

[mike @ May 31st 2007 3:41PM]

Yes, someone please alert Steve Ballmer that there is a phone that costs more than $500
--

Ballmer has lied so much, we're not even gonna bother correcting him.

Between this and the LG Prada phone costing about a grand in USD.. The 'iPhone=overpriced' line is officially put out to pasture.

Engadget didn't mention any cool features at all! Who is this damn thing for?

[arTekk @ May 31st 2007 4:33PM]

Stereo audio streaming supports A2DP BT (advanced audio distribution profile for Bluetooth)

[Samuel Wang @ May 31st 2007 4:59PM]

This is not the first Nokia phone to use Mini USB ports. The Nokia 6300, which came out awhile ago, uses Mini USB ports as well.

[Samuel Wang @ May 31st 2007 5:02PM]

wait, that's my bad, it said micro-usb not mini usb...i apologize

[Manuel López Revol @ May 31st 2007 5:16PM]

It must be build with the kind of glass that is used in expensive watches, extremelly dificult to scratch and break.

[JK @ May 31st 2007 5:19PM]

Bit behind the curve here Engadget... this has been on sale in the UK for a little while:
http://shop.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-monthly/nokia/8600-luna/o2/o5018/?TDF_BO_ONLY=N#nokia-8600

[CharlieX @ May 31st 2007 5:21PM]

Man that's a lotta loot... remember that "fancy" steely looking Nokia on Tmobile that was $500?

[ranron @ May 31st 2007 5:55PM]

You mean the 8800? Yeah, I've that phone. It rocks.

This phone however looks too much style over functionality.

[kadajawi @ May 31st 2007 6:04PM]

Damn it Nokia, now I've got to clean my keyboard. Looks great. Really great. Ok, so it won't be an iPhone... this is definately style over substance, but that's okay.

I hope they use that glass... Vertu does too, and my watch has it as well. There is not a single scratch on the watch though I've used it for four years now. There are thousands of scratch marks around the glass on the metal though.

[Kei @ May 31st 2007 9:51PM]

TO answer some questions. It is NOT a touch sensitive pad when shut. NO memory expansion. Memory is 128mb.

What I want to know is 'where' can you get it for $700... its £599 in stores sim free... which is around £1150...
So if I can get it for £350 now I want to know where :P care to share engadget?

[Matthew Ledger @ Jun 1st 2007 6:18AM]

i heard it had a gig of internal memory ... not 128meg!?

[Kei @ Jun 1st 2007 2:06PM]

sadly its 128mb, not 1gb

[Matt @ May 31st 2007 10:59PM]

I have the 8801 and its a pain in the you know what to make sure nothing happens to it. I would consider buying it if there were no iPhone.

[Douglas @ Jun 1st 2007 1:12AM]

You can get a new, untouched, unlocked Prada on eBay for less than $1000AUD (and can find alot for over that price); i got mine for $750AUD.

and at least this has something new/different, as opposed to this.

[Douglas @ Jun 1st 2007 1:14AM]

And when i said:
"and at least this has something new/different, as opposed to this"
i meant:
"and at least the Prada has something new/different, as opposed to the Luna"

[Josh @ Jun 4th 2007 4:04AM]

i got the 8800 sirocco, awesome phone, but i've dropped it a few times and no scrathes but this one just looks to breakable