3G iPhone vs Nokia Xpress 5800 Media Tube

A few details were unveiled recently about long expected  iPhone killer from Nokia, the Xpress 5800 Media Tube. What a long name actually. At the same time, some unofficial details seam to surfice about the 3G model of the iPhone, that Apple will apparently unveil this June.

Let's compare them with what we know.Bear in mind that 2 things have been assumed about the 3G iPhone. First, its 2.5 mm thinner than it use to be and second it also supports GPS.

So rather than just list the specs of the two device, I will only list the differences.

Size: 

based on dimensional data give, Nokia's Tube apparently takes 31% more volume in your pocket.  An advantage for the iPhone.

Weight: 

Nokia's Tube is 104 grams, while the iPhone is currently at 135 grams. However, the new 3G iPhone model is going to be thinner and likely lighter, so its a Draw in my opinion.

Screen: 

The iPhone still has 46% bigger screen area, allowing for finger activated keyboard. This is a big plus for it, since Nokia's Tube users will need a stylus for much of the controls, typing included.

Resolution: 

Nokia Tube's screen has  approximately 235dpi, while the iPhone is at 163dpi. However, the iPod Nano Apple shipped last september had 204dpi screen, so it is entirely possible that the new iPhone has at least 204dpi screen too. Still a possible small advantage to the Tube here.

Supoted Aps: 

By the time the Tube launches, iPhone will definitely have more useful native apps available to it if we consider the curretly industry momentum. The bigger screen and keyboard will also mean greater functionality. Also the Aps Store for the iPhone is way more easy method for distributing Aps than anything else out ther.  An advantage for the iPhone again.

Operating System: 

Mac OsX is definitely in a league of its own in terms of desktop computers, let alone mobile phones, where everybody else's OS is much less powerful. A huge advantage for the iPhone here too in terms of future potential

Touch Interface: 

iPhone will use almost two year proven Multy touch UI, while the Tube will be the first Nokia device to feature their Touch (not Multy touch)  Simbian UI.  So the iPhone has a big advantage here too.

Camera: 

Tube's 3.2 Megapixel camera with auto focus is definately supperior to the iPhone current one, but it is almost 100% certain that by the time the Tube lauches, the iPhone will have a much batter camera too. That's based on the 5 and 8 Megapixel camera sensor prototypes demonstrated already. So, I think its a draw here.

Memory: 

The Tube has 140Mb of internal Memory vs the current iPhone's 128MB.  Given the recent drop in memory price and the addition to native aps to the iPhone, I suspect then the new model might actually double its memory to 256MB. So I will say, its a draw for now.

Lauch date: 3G iPhone is in 2nd quater of 2008, while the Nokia's Tube is stated for first quater of 2009 release, giving the 3G iPhone at least half and year head start.

Distribution: Nokia has a huge distribution advantage over Apple in terms of mobile devices. However, Apple is gaining with every month and by the time Nokia releases the Tube, Apple is likely to be able to compete with it in most of all available markets.  Actualy iPhone is currently being used all around the world and its market share in 3rd world countries is actualy going to overtake Nokia's smartphone one very soon. Nokia will only keep a market advantage in 3G Europe, but its 3G phones perform worse than the iPhone in the rest of the world. So its going to be an overall draw in terms of distribution.

Price: Nokia's closest iPhone smartphone competitors have always costed more, because they are always sold unlocked.  If the current trend continues it is likely that the Tube will still be a lot more expensive than the iPhone, giving the the later a very important advantage. 

Conclusion:

The Xpress 5800 Tube is not an iPhone Killer and never will be. There is no device that will ever be able to compete with the iPhone  in terms of awesomeness and capability. Why? because that's is how it is with all Apple products. The iPod, the iMac and the others are all the benchmarks in the industry.  IPhone is likely to overturn the mobile industry same as the iPod did with the mobile player industry. Apple will never settle for a second best design and performance.