The list of devices that currently support the Symbian S60 3rd Edition operating system included a mobile phone unknown to the public. It should be noted that the list is the official document of Nokia and it looks so: Nokia N71, Nokia N73, Nokia N75, Nokia N76, Nokia N80, Nokia N81, Nokia N91, Nokia N92, Nokia N93, Nokia N93i, Nokia N95, Nokia E50 -1, Nokia E60, Nokia E61, Nokia E62, Nokia E65, Nokia E70, Nokia E90, Nokia 3250, Nokia 5500 Sport, Nokia 6290, Nokia 6110 Navigator. In this long list someone drew attention to the three characters, a non-existent phone: N81, and the Internet at once was filled with rumors.

There were no officially available images, and much less technical characteristics of Nokia N81 “virtual” phone. The public expressed a variety of versions regarding its “characteristics”. They said that Nokia N81 has 10 GB of memory, 3.2 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, support A2DP profile, and even 3D-dynamics. Nokia did not comment on the assumption of the enthusiasts.