Nokia will join the most hotly contested consumer electronics battle this week when it introduces its first touchscreen phone.

Until now the world’s leading handset manufacturer has stayed away from the territory first successfully colonised by Apple’s iPhone.

But tomorrow Nokia will unveil the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, otherwise known as the Nokia “Tube”. There are no official details yet, but the phone is expected to include a 3.2in colour touchscreen, full internet browsing connectivity, a 3.2 mega-pixel camera and built-in GPS.

Other contenders in the smart-phone battle include T-Mobile’s HTC G1. Also known as the “Google phone”, it has advanced Android software with one-click access to Google search and e-mail, and GPS.

Apple’s new 3G iPhone is considered by many to be the sexiest smart-phone and has a plethora of features accessed through it 3.5in touchscreen and virtual keyboard. It also has one-touch music downloads from the iTunes music store.

The Blackberry Storm will be the big Christmas offering from RIM and for the first time has a touchscreen. It should be in the shops by November. Expect all the usual push e-mail features and more.

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