Nokia N95 - Globally Warrantied or Not?

I really hate to bring this up again, but it does require an attentive ear.  I recently received a question on a message board regarding overseas phones. 

"Hi.. I was wondering if you have any insight on this topic... what would you do if any of your "overseas" phones has a problem?  I understand nokiausa will not warrant these phones, but it's something i pondered for awhile while considering the n80, n73, etc.. I know when the n95 comes out , I'll have the same questions... because the n95, I''m sure, will not be released in the US.  The n75 will be ok, as that's a cingular phone."

The Nokia N95, which was recently awarded "Best of Whats New" by Popular Science Magazine, has been seen and demoed in New York (as seen here by my buddy Mark and videoed by Alex Wredge) and other parts of the United States.  Up until recently eager consumers could go into the Nokia Store in NYC and ask to view the awaited multimedia computer and learn about its features.  Thats the one of the advantages of having a retail store so close by, but that doesn't mean that the N95 can be brought in for service or repair.  Even though the phone multimedia computer will not be sold at the store it still leaves that open door for consumers to seek other retail channels here in the States to purchase.  But to me this seems like it will open the door to a recurring problem for Nokia ... the warranty.

We already know that there is no way to stop consumers from purchasing what they want and the fact that the N95 might be on everyone's wishlist this holiday season might in fact open up a "problem ticket".  So, what will be the outcome?  How or will the N95 be warrantied?

There is no question that Nokia stands behind its products even down to the accessories, but I think this is something that consumers have a right to know before they shell out that "new item" amount of money.

Comments

[dthree]

"the N95, I'm sure, will not be released in the US."

No!!!! Say it isn't so! I thought (via rumor) that Nokia was considering a US version which would have the correct frequencies for HSPDA in the US.

I really don't want to pay $500-$700 for a non-warrantied, incompatible device, but I really want this handset.

[romeo26]

i really hope that nokia does global warranty...if they did that i think that will put them ahead of the compatition by a long shot! plus i dont think they will lose money on doing this cuse they will be gaining more money with more purchases because people will have a good peace of mind knowing that there phone is going cpvered anywere.

[Mark Guim]

Luckily, none of my imported Nokia phones have broken and needed warranty. It's hard for me to wait for a phone I want to come here in a United States Nokia Store, because I'm the type of guy who wants the latest phone. I don't want to wait 3-4 months before it is available here because by that time, Nokia will announce a newer phone.

I'll just buy from an eBay importer and hope for the best.

Darla, here's the link to the article connected to that photo:
http://thenokiablog.com/2006/10/03/preview-playing-with-the-nokia-n95-prototype/)

[Darla]

Hey Mark,

Yeah, thanks for the link... I finaly found it and included it. :)

[Matty]

the issue though comes in nations such as Australia (where im from), where there are handsets being brought in from other nearby markets either grey imported en masse or via ebay. They are hurting the local market (competing stores through unfair price based competition). Local warranty was/is a detterant to purchasing an imported product and therefore keeping the playing field level.

[Valmore]

Hello guys,

I agree with most of you, Nokia should offer global warranty on its phones, would help Nokia to get as the biggest worldwide and new buyers will be on hand just because of this and also give confident in Nokia as a phone seller and developer.

Thanks

[Equality 7-629]

The US release for nokia n95 is uncertain. I spoke with a rep through email... this is what he or she stated:"Dear Cedrick,

Thank you for e-mailing the Nokia Care Contact Center.

We appreciate your inquiry in regards to the release date of the Nokia
N95 device.

Cedrick, at this time, we cannot advise you as to whether the Nokia N95
device will be released in the United States (US). We cannot provide
information on products that have not been released in the US.

Most Nokia phones are first introduced in Europe and later released in
the USA. Global Systems for Mobile communication (GSM) and Enhanced
General Radio Packet Service (EGPRS) are currently the standard
technologies in Europe and most other international countries; therefore, most
models that are released in Europe are GSM and EGSM technology, which
work on 900/1800 MHz frequencies.

Nokia is continuously introducing new models to the US market. We are
unable to disclose technical information on products that have not been
released and cannot be more specific with regard to who the service
providers will be for new models."

There is hope. Let's just keep our fingers crossed at the moment =)

[Pseudofinn]

I've gotten that same exact email, word-for-word (other than the name), about six times from Nokia. You could ask them if the Nokia Giraffe comes with bluetooth 3.0 and they would send you the same email. Quite a bummer... it seems that all communication between Nokia USA and US customers results in a generic form email. Maybe that will change now that someone else is in charge of dealing with customers in the US... we can hope!