Nokia, one of the world's most successful mobile phone makers, said in its Thursday report that it had released the N8 for sale. This is the company's flagship smartphone model. With Nokia stock showing stable growth over the past week, this is supposed to be quite in time.

However, Sami Sarkamies, Nordea analyst, said the growth had been much less significant than expected, considering the last week's price dynamics. There had also been delays in deliveries of N8 phones to customers.

Many analysts regard the N8 as the first Nokia piece to challenge Apple iPhone. At the rate it is going, the N8 may strengthen its position in the global market by the end of the year and increase the company's profit indicators significantly.

Michael Schroder, FIM analyst, believes that the new device is a great addition to Nokia's existing portfolio and yet another proof of the company's reputation of the maker of the world's most expensive smartphones. Although the volumes are not big yet, Nokia expects that it will take weeks for the model to gain popularity, since is already showing an unprecedented pre-order rate. Jo Harlow, head of the smartphone unit, confirmed that in his official statement.

Initially, the N8 was scheduled for release in June. However, it was clear even earlier that there would be some quality issues requiring more thorough software updates. As a result, renewals would take a little longer, so it would have not been until the end of September that the smartphone could have been released. These problems compelled Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo to resign. Stephen Elop from Microsoft took over the position.

The N8 is compact and user friendly, and it provides easy access to popular social networks connecting people around the globe. Besides, it enables users to enjoy their favorite radio and TV programs and Ovi Store Applications. N8 features exceptional HD quality video and Dolby Digital Plus sound system. N8 can be connected to a home theater through HMDI.

Although the N8 is still less powerful that its Samsung, Galaxy and Apple analogues, it boasts a versatile 12 megapixel camera featuring Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash. There is also a large sensor similar to those found in compact digital cams. By aid of the camera and the editing program, users can create their own HD vids and edit them.