Nokia C7 available for Rs 20,500: initial impressions

We were told emphatically by Nokia during the N8 launch a few weeks ago that the N8 would be the only Symbian ^3 device launched in India this year. Our correspondent Mr. Spock had however reported that thanks to dealer pressure stemming from less than satisfactory sales of the N8, the C7 would be launched in India in November at a price tag of around Rs 19,000. We hate to pat ourselves on the back, but he was spot on. While visiting the Nokia showroom (unit no 112) at the Great India Place mall at NOIDA near Delhi, we saw the C7 on display and on asking the salesperson, were told that it was available for Rs 20,500, along with a free Bluetooth headset. The price could be knocked down if one decided to do without the headset, though. Which is pretty much close to what Mr. Spock had predicted.Although we were able to only click one picture of the C7 (the staff got a bit wary when we took out our camera), we handled the device for a few minutes and out impressions were positive overall. It seems slimmer and lighter than the N8 and honestly, looks a whole lot better and sleeker (we handled the black version), with far fewer ports cluttering the fingers when one holds the device. The couple of pictures we clicked looked extremely sharp on the 3.5 inch touch screen, which was every bit as responsive as that of the N8. Top that off, with a price tag; that makes the C7 easily the least expensive 8-megapixel smart phone in the country, and we think that Nokia has a big winner up its sleeve. Provided it admits it exists, of course!

Note: We have also previously noted the C7 priced at Rs 18900 – 19000. In this particular hands-on the showroom owner quoted Rs 20500, but we are certain on the price of Rs 19000. Just that a lot of dealers are yet to receive stock, thus allowing Nokia Priority Dealers to make some extra bucks 🙂