Nokia QWERTY sliding N9 surfaces in China

Back in July images and speculation were aroused to a brand new Nokia QWERTY sliding phone, which back then had no immediate title. Well now fresh images have resurfaced, and the latest hot gossip in the Smartphone world has its name – the Nokia N9, a QWERTY version to to the Nokia N8.

Being the spitting image of the Nokia N8, the N9 is pretty much the same phone however with the added -welcome- addition of a QWERTY keyboard.  Seeing it with clear N9 branding, we can now say that the previously unknown Nokia slider was more likely the N8-01, a keyboard-equipped version of the (still) upcoming N8. The source of this N9 leak reports that it’s not in its final retail shape, as it doesn’t match up to “the latest drawings,” but is apparently planned for a release in the 48th week (i.e. beginning of December) of this year.

[UPDATE: Engadget has reported that this is indeed a prototype]