The Nokia N97 has already released in India, while we still await the release of the Apple iPhone 3GS.

We receive e-mails asking if the wait for the iPhone 3GS is worth it, or is it wiser to go with the Nokia N97 which is readily available and much cheaper.

Well, both devices have pros and cons, lets get down to the comparison.

• iPhone 3GS is sleeker and looks better (1 for the iphone, 0 for the N97)
• iPhone lacks multi-tasking which is present on the N97 (1 – 1)
• App store simply rocks, Ovi store quite frankly sucks! Apple deserve more than a point for this. Anyway 2 – 1
• Camera – 5MP with Dual LED vs 3.2 MP without flash. N97 wins, easily (2 – 2)
• Capacitive is more responsive, resistive is less responsive but can be used with stylus, yet we still prefer capacitive touchscreens (3 – 2. iphone leads)
• iTunes is full of restrictions and very slow on Windows. Nokia PC Suite is much-much better (3 – 3)
• Battery life : iPhone sucks, N97 is better (3 – 4, Nokia leads)
• User Interface : iPhone is year’s ahead of the competition, the true iPhone killer hasn’t yet arrived when it comes to the simplicity of the UI. (4 – 4)

While its a tie with all the major functions of the two phones, the Nokia N97 is a clear winner when it comes to the smaller, more basic functions of a modern day device. Phone-to-phone Bluetooth data transfer, better battery life, FM Radio, memory card slot, fewer or no restrictions, full physical QWERTY keyboard which although not too great is most definitely a positive.

If you don’t care about the iPhone applications, more responsive screen and the fantastic user interface; go with the N97. With kinetic scrolling et al included in the Firmware 2.0 of the N97, the phone is yet another winner for Nokia!

What do you think? Drop in your comments below. Any questions, please ask.

Video Comparison : Nokia N97 vs iPhone 3GS