Nokia has set 1 October as the UK release date for the successor to its hugely popular N95 mobile phone.

The slimmer N96 will have a slightly larger 2.8in QVGA screen, along with GPS and a 5-megapixel camera.

The N96 also doubles the storage of the N95 to 16GB, and has space for a memory stick to increase the storage even more.

Nokia confirmed that the handset will also have an integrated DVB-H receiver, and a small pull-out stand allowing owners to watch Freeview TV channels on the go.

The new multimedia device will be sold via mobile operators 3, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone.

O2's conspicuous absence from the list has led some to suggest that Apple may be putting pressure on the operator to avoid direct competition with the iPhone 3G.

The Nokia N96 is expected to cost around £400 on its own and should be free on some contracts.