Smartphones are complex, feature-rich, and used for tons of purposes hence speaking in [such] absolutes ("would be better off with something else, well - anything else") is dangerous, and likely inaccurate. We also have to see things in end 2009 context.

Nokia and their employees did warn about this; this is why it is step 4 of 5, and its the impression I received. The product wasn't extensively marketed. It wasn't marketed as a flagship device, and the device hasn't received the same amount of software updates as a flagship device.

It certainly is partly my own fault believing the device was production quality. Besides some design mistakes (USB and battery IMO; YMMV), and lack of security/reliability updates the problem is IMO that a device which aims for a new market is _also_ going to have new customers who will be let down. Since you are shooting for something between developers and power users ("enthusiast") some will be pleased and some won't. Yes, in both of these camps, and in each of these camps people have different interests. You can recognize this on this forum: some are very pleased with their purchase, some are very let down, and theres tons inbetween but they're less vocal/apparent.

Instead of saying the product is a total flop for power users or enthusiasts (which it isn't, as various of those are enjoying the device as you can see here) its more useful to recognize the strong and weak points of the device and OS, and the next one as well. This leads to a more happy community, happy users, happy customers, happy shareholders.