So Giz hit up the Nokia preview event in Sydney tonight, and there’s lots of news to share. Alex will have more hands-on thoughts for you in the morning, but for the moment, here’s what we’ve learnt…
The Lumia 900 arrives in June from Optus for $0 upfront on the $60 plan — but you’ll also be able to pick it up off contract for $699 from retailers. The prepaid entry-level Lumia 610 is also just a few weeks away; arriving first on Boost Mobile in pink and blue ($329 to buy the phone). Vodafone will follow up with the black Lumia 610 in July.
About that 4G thing: the Lumia 900 will only be HSDPA+ in Australia (though that still promises improved 3G access). Apparently only AT&T in the US and Rogers Canada get the LTE model. You still get that 4.3-inch AMOLED screen, 1.4GHz processor, front-facing camera. Not all of the four colours will be available from all operators/retailers.
Another surprise (at least to me): the 3.7-inch Lumia 610 won’t have NFC in Australia. I’m told that feature is limited to the Orange France model, and really, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given it is indeed a lower-priced phone.
Soon Nokia will have the Lumia 900, 800, 710 and 610 in Australia. That’s quite a spread and the phones look amazing. I can’t help but glance a little sideways to the HTC Titan II 4G at the high-end, but hey, isn’t choice in Windows Phones grand.