Yes, it’s that simple. The N95 8GB is about function. It has the works: quad band, HSDPA, 802.11g WLAN, GPS, 5 megapixel camera, 30fps video recording, etc. There is no way the iPhone is going to outdo the N95 8GB in terms of hardware feature set. If you want function, if you want cutting-edge technology, the iPhone’s lack of 3G and mere 2 megapixel camera is just not going to make it. Even the rumoured second generation iPhone with 3G is very unlikely to catch up with the N95 8GB’s feature set.
On the other hand, if you want beauty, the Apple iPhone is definitely for you. From the beautiful screen, the unique touch-driven user interface, and the slickness of the overall experience, the Apple iPhone certainly has the WOW factor. You will certainly get lots of attention holding an iPhone in your hand.
Of course, some people may argue that the iPhone is quite functional too. Not for me though. You can’t comfortably type into the iPhone with one hand, and the use of on-screen keyboard means there is no tactile feedback either. Can you believe it, but you can’t send MMS with the iPhone? At least not with the built-in applications! iPhone applications are limited, and 3rd party development is limited to web-based applets or widgets. Apple is said to be opening up the phone’s SDK to developers in February 2008 to write native applications. Well, think about the head start that Symbian developers have had.
All About Symbian has a detailed blow by blow comparison between the iPhone and the N95 8GB. This is a good read if you’re still trying to compare the two phones. Here is another longish comparison from Atmasphere. (Interestingly, there aren’t many iPhone-vs-N95 reviews out there that spoke favourably of the iPhone other than it being really beautiful.)
Who will sell the iPhone in Singapore? Elsewhere in the US and Europe, Apple has been tying up with telcos for exclusive deals to sell the handset in respective countries, in return for a cut on revenues. I don’t know if this will happen in Singapore. A snippet from MacDailyNews reports that MobileOne seems to be in talks with Apple. That doesn’t say very much, does it? Earlier post from MacRyu speculated SingTel and StarHub. I’d say, don’t hold your breadth. Tough luck if you’re on contract, with the wrong telco, that is.
Is beauty or function more important to you?