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Apple iPhone 3G vs Nokia N97

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPhone 3GNokiaN97
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2008June 2009
Display
Screen size3.5″3.5″
Resolution480 × 320640 × 360
Sharpness165 pixels per inch210 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Refresh rate60 Hz–
Display type3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display3.5-inch TFT LCD, 640 × 360, up to 16 million colours; resistive touch input with optional stylus. No maker refresh-rate or peak-brightness figure published.
Pixel density163 ppi–
Performance
ChipSamsung S5L8900ARM11 434 MHz (GSMArena)
Memory128 MB128 MB
Storage8 GB, 16 GB32 GB
Memory–32 GB built-in mass storage from maker sheet. 128 MB installed RAM and 434 MHz ARM11 CPU from GSMArena’s full production review. All About Symbian’s later v 21 test reports only 10–15 MB free on the separate C: system partition after use; this is not total RAM or the 32 GB mass-storage capacity.
Storage type–microSD expansion up to 16 GB from original maker sheet. Original up-to 48 GB marketing total includes the removable card, not 48 GB built-in storage.
CPU412 MHz ARM 11 (GSMArena); Apple-labelled Samsung processor marked 8900B, with a Samsung K4X1G163PC 1 Gb (128 MB) memory chip on the package (iFixit)–
GPUPowerVR MBX (GSMArena)–
Cameras
Main camera2 MP5 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Main camera2.0 megapixels5 MP autofocus Carl Zeiss Tessar, F2.8,5.4 mm physical focal length, dual LED flash/video light and sliding lens cover. Launch sheet 2584 ×1938 still matrix conflicts with 2592 ×1944 in exact issue 5 owner guide and production review; guide matrix identified as later exact-model evidence.
Front camera–Secondary front camera for video calling, confirmed in owner guide; no headline megapixel figure inferred. AAS reports 176 ×122 in its v 21 review, without treating that as a maker sensor specification.
Video recording–Maker sheet specifies VGA 640 ×480 MPEG-4 at up to 30 fps. AAS later test records 640 ×360 at 29 fps; recording modes/settings differ. No HD or optical zoom claimed.
Camera featuresPhoto geotaggingTwo-stage shutter key, sliding lens cover, geotagging, scene settings, white balance, ISO and exposure compensation. No transferred N86 variable aperture or mechanical-shutter claim.
Battery and charging
Battery–1,500 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)Up to 7 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detailTalk time up to 5 hours on 3G or 10 hours on 2G; standby up to 300 hours; internet use up to 5 hours on 3G or 6 hours on Wi-Fi; video playback up to 7 hours; audio playback up to 24 hoursRemovable BP-4L 1500 mAh. Original maker sheet maxima:320 minutes 3G or 400 minutesGSM talk,400 hours 3G or 430 hoursGSM standby,4.5 hours offline video or 37 hours offline music. GSMArena cites later 6/9.5-hour talk and 408/432-hour standby figures; differing launch claims are qualified rather than combined.
Wired chargingCharging via USB to a computer or the included USB Power AdapterMicro-USB charging with simultaneous data transfer confirmed by exact owner guide; no maker charging wattage published.
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight133 g150 g
Thickness12.3 mm15.9 mm
Height × width115.5 × 62.1 mm117.2 × 55.3 mm
Weight detail–Maker body dimensions 117.2 ×55.3 ×15.9 mm; camera area reaches 18.25 mm. Headline retains the main body thickness.
ColoursBlack (8GB); black or white (16GB)–
ButtonsSleep/wake; ring/silent; volume up/down; HomeSlide-and-tilt three-row QWERTY keyboard with directional pad on the left and space key on the right. Numeric/symbol input uses modifiers. Physical menu, volume and capture controls, touch call/end keys and screen-lock slider.
Speakers–Built-in stereo speakers; FM radio with RDS and FM transmitter confirmed by production review and owner guide. Transmitter availability is regional; the guide qualifies permitted countries.
SensorsAccelerometer; proximity sensor; ambient light sensor–
Software
Operating systemiOSSymbian
Software features–Symbian OS9.4/S60 5th Edition with configurable homescreen widgets, document viewers and original Ovi services. GSMArena tests launch firmware; AAS’s March 2010 month-long v 21 test still finds RAM/system-partition constraints and instability. Original N-Gage/service availability and later updates are not assumed universal or usable today.
Release detail–Announced 2 December 2008 with first-half 2009 shipping planned. Maker 2 June 2009 article states sales in 75 countries duringJune without exact worldwide day; actual 19 June article confirms UK shop debut. June retained without substituting the UK day for worldwide first sale. No maker-supported direct predecessor link established.
Software at launchiPhone 2.0 software–
Connectivity
Mobile networkUMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)Original maker sheet: GSM850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA900/1900/2100 with HSDPA. Exact guide identifies European RM-505; regional American variants remain separate and are not combined into the European band list.
Wi-FiWi-Fi (802.11b/g)IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home networking, from maker datasheet; no inferred Wi-Fi generation beyond the stated standards.
BluetoothBluetooth 2.0 + EDRBluetooth 2.0 +EDR with A2DP/AVRCP stereo audio, hands-free/headset, dial-up networking, file transfer, imaging, phonebook access and remote SIM profiles confirmed in exact guide.
USB30-pin dock connector; 3.5 mm stereo headphone minijackMicro-USB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data/charging and 3.5 mm Nokia AV socket for compatible headphones and PAL/NTSC TV-out.
PositioningGPS; Assisted GPSGPS, assisted GPS and electronic compass. Launch sheet says navigation may need separate purchase; GSMArena’s original Maps 2.0 Touch package had a three-month trial, while AAS later v 21 review tests updated Ovi Maps. These are historical software/licence states, not promised current services.

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