The N97 is a high-end multimedia phone that has a talk time of 6.6 hours and 430 hours of standby time, according to the company. Connectivity features include support for 3G, GPRS, GPS, HSDPA, Java, Bluetooth, A2DP, USB and Wi-Fi. Weighing just about 150 grams, the Nokia N97 is sure to give competitors a run for their money.

N97 is a touch-screen mobile device that has a five megapixel camera and supports up to 48 GB of storage. Nokia revealed the N97 has 32 GB of on-board memory, expandable with a 16 GB microSD card.

The Nokia N97 also boasts of DVD quality video capture and high-quality Carl Zeiss optics. A large 3.5 inch touch display with a full QWERTY keyboard will allow consumers to experience entertainment of the highest quality. The N97 has full support for Nokia Music Store and offers continuous playback time of up to 1.5 days.

The device also supports a pre-loaded version of Nokia's Ovi Store, which enables consumers to shop for and install applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services.

For the first time, the N97 introduces the concept of "So-Lo" or "social location." Nokia says this feature makes it "easy to update social networks automatically with real-time information, giving approved friends the ability to update their 'status' and share their 'social location' as well as related pictures or videos."

Users can customize their screens with frequently updated widgets of favorite web services and social networking sites. RSS feeds and Ovi feeds are also available as widgets.

Nokia India has tied up with HDFC and Citibank to offer consumers an option of 3 month EMI at 0% interest rate in select cities and towns in the country. Vodafone customers who opt for the Nokia N97 will receive a free data plan for three months and also a chance to gain exclusive access to ’The Groove’ lifestyle widget.

The N97 will cost Rs.36, 119 in India and will be available at almost all retail outlets across the country from Wednesday.