Nokia doesn't have "flagships". They make low, middle, and high -end phones that fit a certain use case. The N900's niche is too small for it to be a flagship. It is a very high-end device, but it is not a "flagship" representing the peak of the entire Nokia lineup.

- Edit: The above paragraph is wrong. Ignore -

Anyway, I am not happy with the eyboard wearing, but it's not a big deal. Though I'll probably buy an extra keypad eventually just in case though. Meanwhile: I've avoided the worst off the keyboard wearing. My blue paint is wearing off on the FN parts - the FN arrow is almost fully white, and the asterisk is on the way. Shift key and O look like they are wearing down - the initial dim white color is getting replaced by a more clear white the LEDs shine through easier. But so far every symbol character is perfect and clear, so I don't mind too much.

http://conversations.nokia.com/2009/...eat-and-tears/

The first line reads:
"The story behind the making of the Nokia N97 is a fascinating one that gives a real insight of what goes into to forging a flagship device"

How about "it should not be happening on a bl**dy expensive device."?

I completely agree!

My Phone, made in korea, used extensicely, following me almost everywhere, doesnt have any keyboard problems. Its not a shiny keyboard i think.
My Screen Frame got a few scratches. Happened when it fell to the ground from about 1m. Its the only damage it took.

I got my N900 back in May 2010. I started noticing wear on the keys about 4 or 5 months ago. Now the black has rubbed off of all 4 arrow keys and the black is gone from at least 7 other keys. I am still under warranty. So I am going to try to get it replaced. But I consider this to be pretty shoddy for such an expensive device. The N810 and N800 are more durable in my opinion.

I'm no fanboy, but it's not beyond dispute at all - mine does none of those things, I've had it for a little over a year and I've sent about 6000 messages in that time - also spent many hours at the keypad doing other stuff. I'm guessing that what you call normal every day use, I'd refer to as abuse. Are you using your fingernails to type? Are you dropping your N900 regularly - with the power lead in...

This is happening to mine as well. This is a replacement N900. The first one I had did not have this issue and I had it almost a year. My typing habits have not changed.

I purchased the Nokia N900 from Dell back in September 2010. Around the end of November the keypad started rubbing off. I called Dell and Dell said I needed to call Nokia. I called Nokia and they told me to send it in for repair. Before I could send it in I had to purchase a new phone and with the holidays I finally sent it in on January 22. For three weeks Nokia said they were working on the repair. I called and e-mailed several times but the repair was still in the process.

Finally, Nokia shipped it back without reparing it. I called Nokia and they told me it was a cosmetic problem that is not covered under warranty. I asked to speak to a supervisor. Finally the supervisor, Michael, called me back. He basically said the same thing. Sorry not covered. It's cosmetic. I asked to speak to his supervisor. He said he is the only supervisor that I can talk to. He said it doesn't matter if I call corporate in New York that everybody is going to tell me the same thing. .

How could this be? I paid over $400. for a phone that after 2 months I can't see the letters. It's like a keyboard without any markings. The space, t m,n,c,w,a,h s,d and arrow are rubbed off. I love the phone but it is incredibly frustrating.

My 7 month old keyboard/phone is still in good condition (at this point of posting).