Nokia N97 Mini Coming Later In 2009?

Chalk this one up under the "big rumor" heading for the moment, but a moderator at the Vodafone View forums has claimed that the carrier will be releasing a "Nokia N97 Mini" in Ireland later this year.  The phone is described as "competitively" priced, which the moderator suggests will "appeal to a wider segment of customers"; as such, the Nokia N97 will not be launched in Ireland.

No other details regarding the "N97 Mini" have been disclosed, but if authentic it is presumably a simpler version of the N97 which has just launched in the US.  You can see our video unboxing and hands-on gallery of the Nokia N97 here.

The moderator goes on to confirm that Vodafone Ireland will not be be offering the Palm Pre, due to another carrier having exclusivity.  It's unstated, but previous rumors have tipped rival O2 as clinching the Pre.  Finally, it's confirmed that the BlackBerry Storm 2 is coming to Vodafone Ireland as well, though there's no word on exactly when that might happen.

[via MobileBurn]