The Nokia N97 is Nokia’s flagship handset and, on paper at least, it has an enviable set of specs that push the boundaries of smartphone tech. But Apple’s iPhone is still the touchscreen handset to beat. How does the N97 match up against the latest iPhone 3GS?
- Size & weight
The iPhone 3GS and the N97 are roughly the same size when you hold them in the palm of your hand (give or take a millimetre). But the N97 carries a little more plastic fat around the waist – the 3GS is 4mm thinner and 15g lighter than Nokia’s phone.
Nokia N97 0 – 1 iPhone 3GS
- Talk time & battery life
Ok, so measuring talktime and battery life isn’t an exact science… But Apple boasts 12 hours of talktime for the iPhone 3GS, compared to 10 hours for the N97. In terms of standby time, the roles are reversed and the 3GS loses out to the N97 by 432 hours to 300 hours. A point each.
Nokia N97 1 – 2 iPhone 3GS
- Connectivity
Both phones feature fast 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. The iPhone range did lack the A2DP protocol as part of its Bluetooth package, but this has since been remedied with the iPhone 3.0 software upgrade. Another tie.
Nokia N97 2 – 3 iPhone 3GS
- Digital camera
Although Apple has upgraded the digital camera in the 3GS, it wasn’t as bold an improvement as many people hoped for. The iPhone’s 3 Megapixel lens (with autofocus) is decent enough and is also capable of capturing VGA-quality video at speeds up to 30 fps. In comparison, the N97 features a 5MP Carl Zeiss lens with autofocus and LED flash. Video resolution is also maxed out at a 640?480 VGA resolution.
Nokia N97 3 – 3 iPhone 3GS
- Storage
The Nokia N97 matches the top-of-the-range iPhone Gigabyte for Gigabyte – both pack 32GB of internal storage. But the N97 also features a microSD expansion slot, enabling users to boost the overall memory by up to 16GB. This gives the N97 a maximum storage capacity of 48GB. Nice.
Nokia N97 4 – 3 iPhone 3GS
- Screen/Keyboard
Both the N97 and the 3GS feature 3.5-inch touch-sensitive displays with accelerometer technology. The N97 boasts a higher resolution display too – 640?360 pixels compared to the 480?320 pixels on the 3GS. And let’s not forget the N97′s QWERTY keyboard. But, as nice as the N97′s screen is, it uses old-fangled ‘resistive’ technology and lacks the responsiveness of the ‘capacative’ multi-touch display on the iPhone.
Nokia N97 5 – 4 iPhone 3GS
- Other features
The N97 features a customisable homescreen (with user-definable web widgetry), a built-in FM radio, N-Gage friendliness and the Symbian OS supports downloadable apps and games. But the iPhone is probably the most customisable smartphone currently available, thanks to the thousands of apps, games and utilities available on the iTunes App Store. The 3GS also features PowerVR SGX graphics technology for enhanced multimedia speed.
Nokia N97 5 – 5 iPhone 3GS
- Verdict: Draw
Archive
The iPhone 4 isn’t a small item for review. And despite some roadbumps, it is the most successful launch of Apple yet. With a lot to live up to, the iPhone 4 has done its best, with features such as a five mexapixel shooter, a new front facing camera and a new super-fast A4 CPU. It’s outrageous retina display and a completely new industrial design has made it the most sought after device.
Drastic industrial design overhaul is the most notable change with the new iPhone. It has completely rethought on the strategy of the feel and look of the phone, with striking results. Rather than hewing to the silver-bezeled, plasticky and curved look, the firm has turned the face and casing of the device into something more sophisticated and detailed.
Basic Components
The iPhone 4 is comprised of three basic components – a stainless steel band and two pieces of strengthened, smooth glass which wraps around the top, sides and bottom of the phone. The effect, though clean, isn’t simple, with extra details added upon by Apple. This includes the altered volume buttons and metal band notches that serve to enhance radio connections.
At.37 inches, the phone is noticeably thinner and weighs 4.8 ounces, making the entire package denser and tighter. With good heft, it appears great in your hand, though it would take a bit to go through the lack of rounded back, especially if you come from the 3GS or 3G.
Extra Features
The iPhone comes with high end design. It contains three main pieces, which, when combined together create a sandwich like effect. This device contains extremely strong glass face which is comparable to the strength of ruby and is 32 times the toughness of plastic.
In terms of manufacture and design, it outclasses every market smartphone.