Nokia has announced that the N8 has begun shipping worldwide. Customers who pre-ordered the N8, either through Nokia’s online shop or through retail stores, will obviously get first preference. Broad availability is expected in a few weeks, with the exact date depending upon the country and operator.

Nokia N8 got off to a rough start, with a harsh review from Eldar Murtazin. However, Jo Harlow, Senior Vice President, Smartphones, Nokia revealed, The Nokia N8 has received the highest amount of consumer pre-orders in Nokia history and we are thrilled to start shipments of the N8, the first of Nokia’s new Symbian smartphone range”.

The N8 features the new Symbian^3 operating system and boasts of a 3.5″ display, and 12-megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording. Although the Symbian operating system might be a turnoff for many, the N8 is a full-featured device with unique features like USB On-The-Go that will entice power users and fans of the Symbian operating system.