Video: iPhone 3GS vs Nokia N97

Previously, Michael Sherlock compared the browsers of the iPhone 3GS and Nokia N97. Now Michael compares other aspects of both handsets..

[Note, that although the N97 is more expensive in the US due to it being unsubsidised/unavailable on contract, outside the US, and at least in the UK, there are some really good deals that work out much cheaper than the iPhone]

Topics covered include:

• Opening of apps – iPhone via app launcher screen and N97 either via homescreen on S60 menu.
• Multitasking – Michael points out that the iPhone doesn’t really have true multitasking whereas you do on the N97.
• Text input – Full physical QWERTY on the N97 versus on screen QWERTY on the iPhone
• Application Store – App Store versus Ovi – absolutely no competition.
• Camera – 5MP Camera on N97 with several settings and LED flash vs simple 3MP on iPhone

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NohXvOjNxo]

It seems on the points covered, both iPhone 3GS and N97 are pretty close. However, in “real life” situations, some factors have more weighting than others, such as the wealth of applications and the “easier” UI enabling quicker accessing of apps on the iPhone.

Certain issues can be forgotten by seasoned S60 users, such as ease in getting to applications. At the moment, if you have many applications on your S60 phone, it will take a lot of unintuitive scrolling. However, most seasoned S60 users will have organized their phone into folders, making all apps accessible within 1-2 taps of pressing menu.

The keyboard front – the QWERTY does take some getting used to. It’s not the best out there, but things like the placement of the spacebar is most certainly a non issue, and after a few lengthy emails/messages you’ll get the hang of it.

The Ovi Store – I feel like constantly banging my head against a door at this one. This is something crucial for Nokia to get right. The lack of applications is slightly understandable – though it is worth noting that there are way more applications available for the N97 than there are actually catalogued in the Ovi Store, and it’s slightly frustrating that they aren’t all available through Ovi.

The bigger issue is how cumbersome Ovi Store feels. Hindered by Ovi Store’s need to cater for multiple platforms, it’s just not as intuitive as it can be for S60 5th Edition handsets.

Tags: 5th Edition, aPPLE, iPhone, iPhone 3GS, N97, Nokia, Nokia N97, S60, Symbian

Category: 5th Edition, Nokia, Nseries, S60, Symbian, Video