The most notable non-Nokia is certainly going to be the iPhone, but to keep this relevant...
The E61 was updated with the E61i, the N93 with the N93i. In similar practice, Nokia has been releasing Euro versions of their devices in the US months before the proper NAM versions are released (5800XM, N95, E71, N79, N85, among others).
What makes this year more of a gamble is that Nokia never did anything with the N96. It was just a failship through and through and they didn't even bother giving it any hardware upgrades.
So which is worse? Releasing the proper version of a flagship device months after the original is released, or not bothering until it's time for next year's flagship?