However, the launch has been dogged by delays to the development of the Symbian 3 upgrade used in the phone as well as last week's unexplained problems.

WSJ: After Delay, Nokia Ships Smartphone

The Nokia N8 will reach most of the company's main markets over the next few weeks, she said, adding that its other new smartphones based on the upgraded Symbian 3 operating platform the E7, C6 and C7 will start shipping before the end of the year.

WSJ: After Delay, Nokia Ships Smartphone

With the confirmed launch of the N8, Nokia should be able to ship at least three million devices based on Symbian 3 during the fourth quarter, Morgan Stanley said in a note to investors, adding that this could help the company raise its average selling price for the first time since 2000.

WSJ: After Delay, Nokia Ships Smartphone