Nokia has released a new firmware update for its N97 mini device. Users can now update their firmware to v.12.0.110 that promises to bring more stability to the device along with improvised power management.

The update is available via over-the-air and is 4.5MB. N97 mini supports user data preservation but it’s recommended to backup your contents, in case anything goes wrong.

[Thanks, Gaurav!]

Nokia has got a special edition of its N97 mini phone. It’s the Gold Edition that targets the fairer sex with its stylish and eye catchy 18-carat gold casing and pre-installed ELLE 360Fashion news widget. Internally, there’s no change as the phone still features the same 3.2-inch screen, sliding QWERTY keyboard, 8GB internal memory, microSD card slot, 5MP Carl Zeiss camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 and support for Ovi services.

It is expected to be released in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa in Q2 for a price of around $850 (630 euros).

[Via unwiredview]

N97 mini got announced for the Indian market recently and though it’s priced on the higher side, Nokia India is giving some respite in the form of free content. The Indian version gets four pre-loaded N-gage games, which includes Asphalt 4, Spore, Marble Maze, DJ Rock Tour and 3 full-length movies like Spidermand, Da Vinci Code and My Best Friend’s Wedding. Additionally, they’ll also provide free vouchers to download up to 100 tracks from the Nokia Music Store.

The N97 mini is definitely sleeker and smaller than the original N97. Rest of the features and functions are more or less the same as N97. Check the gallery for hands-on pictures.

UPDATE: Click here for more info and hands-on pictures.

You’d expect N97 Mini to be cheaper than original N97 since it has a smaller screen, less storage and no camera lens cover, right? Wrong. Nokia India has officially announced the smaller sibling of N97 and have priced it close to N97, making us think, ”why wouldn’t one go with a superior spec’d N97?”

For an asking price of Rs. 30,939, you’ll get a 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen display, 5MP Carl Zeiss camera with dual LED flash, 8GB internal memory, microSD card slot, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack but if you spend less for N97 you get all of the above with a larger 3.5-inch screen, 32GB internal memory and the same camera with lens cover.

N97 Mini will start appearing in stores by end of this month.

Nokia has also entered in the fashion game by announcing the N97 Mini RAOUL Limited Edition device. Limited to 1000 phones and available only in Singapore, the phone comes in golden-brown hue with RAOUL’s signature stripes adorned on the battery cover and accessorized with a leather pouch and dangler. The box that most of us deem as waste will also be given the leather treatment. Internally, there’s no difference between a regular N97 Mini and this one but the limited edition is pre-installed with Fashion Asia Widget.

The Limited Edition is priced at SGD 1138 (USD 815) but if customers pre-order it before October 29, they get two SGD 50 vouchers that can be redeemed at the next purchase at Nokia or RAOUL.

Product Page

[Via GSMArena]

Vodafone UK has added N97 Mini on its website. The N97 Mini, which was first blabbed on a Vodafone forum is now being offered to consumers with an option to be notified about its availability.

Vodafone has not revealed the exact date but has confirmed to release it in October along with the exact pricing and the contract tenure.

Nokia N97 Mini is a smaller sibling of N97 that gives away the D-pad and few other features found on the N97. Bearing the same tilt-slide design, the N97 Mini sports a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 8GB internal memory, 5MP camera, Wi-Fi and microSD card slot.

Vodafone Page

[Via Pocketlint]

UPDATE: First live pictures of X6 have been published over here.

UPDATE2: Full specs and videos below.

At the Nokia World today Nokia officially announced N97 Mini that had made quite a few appearances before. The companion of the original N97, Mini features a 3.2-inch touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, 8GB internal memory and support for bunch of Ovi services including the Lifecasting app. It will start shipping in October for 450 Euros.

N97 Mini Specifications:

Network: WCDMA 900/1900/2100 (HSDPA), EGSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Dimensions: 113 x 52.5 x 14.2 mm
Weight: 138g
OS: S60 5th Edition
Display: 3.2-inch TFT with up to 16 million colors nHD 16:9 widescreen (640×360 pixels)
Camera: 5MP Carl Zeiss Lens with Dual LED flash and video light
Memory: 8 GB internal memory, plus 16GB expansion via microSD memory card slot
Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), micro USB 2.0, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth, A-GPS
Music playback: MP3, AAC, eAAC, eAAC+, WMA
Battery: BL-4D 1200mAh
Talk time: up to 4 hours (3G), 7 hours (GSM)
Standby time: 310 hours (3G), 320 hours (GSM)
Video/Music playback (offline mode): up to 3.5 hours/28 hours

Nokia also announced X6 and X3 devices from the recently trademarked Xseries. Both the phones are targeted at music enthusiasts and comes with Comes with Music service. X6 features a 3.2-inch 16:9 wide touchscreen display, 32GB of internal memory, 5MP Carl Zeiss camera, Ovi support and 35 hours of music playback. It will be available for 450 Euros in Q4.

Nokia X6 Specifications:

Network: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA 850/1900/2100 (LTA, NA)/WCDMA 900/1900/2100
Dimensions: 111 x 51 x 13.8mm
Processor: 433.9MHz
Display: 3.2-inch 16:9 nHD
Camera: 5MP with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED Flash
Memory: 32GB internal memory
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi (China WAPI), USB 2.0, A-GPS
Music playback: MP3, SpMidi, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, MTP
Talk time: up to 8 hours (GSM) /5 hours (3G)
Stand-by time: up to 406 hours (GSM) /400 hours (3G)
Music playback time: up to 35 hours
Video playback time: up to 4 hours

The X3 is a smaller sibling of X6, based on S40 platform. It will be the first Ovi Store enabled device and features a 2.2-inch display, stereo speakers, microSD card (up to 16GB), FM Radio with RDS, 3.2MP camera and dedicated music keys. It will also come in Q4 2009 for 115 Euros.

Nokia X3 Specifications:

Network: GSM Quadband 850/900/1800/1900 Mhz
Weight: 96 x 49.3 x 14.1 mm
Display: 2.2” QVGA, 262K colors, Active TFT, 240×320 pixel, transmissive
Camera: 3.2MP full focus camera with 4x digital zoom
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 FM Radio antenna, USB 2.0, 3.5mm AV connector
Memory: 46MB internal memory, microSD slot (16GB)
Music playback: MP3, MP4, AAC, eAAC+, WMA, WMV
Talk time: Up to 7.5 hours GSM
Stand by time: Up to 380 hours GSM
Music playtime: Up to 26 hours

Press Release

While we’re expecting Nokia to officially unveil the N97 Mini next month, Eldar from Mobile Review has already put it to paces to publish the first preview of the miniature version of Nokia’s flagship phone. The phone unsurprisingly didn’t manage to wow him and feels the phone doesn’t look to have a bright future. The less price differential between N97 and Mini, a worse-than-N97 keyboard, less storage are amongst the few reasons. For a more in-depth read, you can go over here.

An undisclosed retailer posted few pictures of Nokia’s unannounced phones that also included the much rumored N97 Mini. The pictures were posted on Flickr, which was later published by Mark on his Nokia blog but has now been taken down. The picture as you can see shows N97 Mini with the original N97, a touchscreen device that looks to be the 5900XM, couple of sliders and mid-range devices.

Though there are no other details whatsoever, Mark expects some of these phones to get official soon, presumably at the Nokia World.

We have heard about it before, seen the pictures and now the latest word comes from the mobile stalwart about its release and other details. Apparently, Eldar from Mobile-review claims that the device is as real as you and me and will be shown at the Nokia World 09 in Stuttgart that will be held in early September.

As regards to specs and size, the pictures say it all and Eldar too, reiterates the same thing. The small size is a result of no D-pad and will have similar specs to N97 except for the storage and screen. The storage will be 8 or 16GB, depending on the model and the screen will be close to Nokia’s 5530XM (3.2-inch is close enough!).

Scaled down specs obviously calls for a lower price and Eldar expects it to be cheaper by around 100 Euros ($144).

[Via Unwiredview]