Nokia today introduced its latest smartphone, the N8, as well as a new SDK for Symbian^3, the Finnish OEM’s latest iteration of its mobile operating system.

The N8 will be available in select markets during the third quarter of 2010, according to a press release. The company estimates the retail price of the Nokia N8 at right around $495 before subsidies.

The N8 features a 12-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash, the ability to create HD-quality videos with a built-in editing suite, as well as an HD video/audio out option that includes Dolby Digital Surround Sound. The Nokia N8 comes with free global Ovi Maps walk and drive navigation. Additional hardware specs include support for 16GB of built-in storage space expandable up to 48GB with a Micro SD card, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Powering the Nokia N8 is Symbian ^3, the latest edition of Nokia’s OS which introduces several new features. Symbian^3 offers support for gestures such as multi-touch, flick scrolling and pinch-zoom. The N8 also offers multiple, personalizable homescreens that can be loaded with apps and widgets.

There was no immediate word on carrier partners or subsidies for the device.