The N95 8GB and iPhone are both music-minded smartphones of the highest order. Both pack a whopping 8-gig capacity, and both handle video and the Internet with aplomb. But which is better? Get set for a head-to-head bloodbath!

Musical masterminds

Both phones have proper headphone sockets, although the iPhone’s recessed design won’t accommodate every headset going. That said, its touchscreen interface and speedy response makes it a joy to use. In reality though, you have to take the phone out of your pocket if you want to skip a track. The N95 8GB has dedicated music keys for that kind of malarky and you can up the volume whilst your phone is still in your pocket.

Stat clash!

N95 8GB Dedicated music keys, proper headphone socket, 8GB capacity, built in Music Store.

iPhone Touchscreen, proper headphone socket (recessed), 8GB capacity, Wi-Fi-only Music Store.

Game on!

Nokia’s might simply squashes the iPhone here. Apple’s handset simply doesn’t do games, at least not in the traditional sense. Sure, you can look up simple time-wasters on the internet, and play them through its web browser, but it’s not the same. It’s a massive weakness, especially compared with the N95’s 3D games, N-Gage compatibility and speedy java abilities. No contest.

Stat clash!

N95 8GB Supports every game format around, even next-gen N-Gage titles.

iPhone Simple web-based game support.

Web walkover

The N95 might have a large screen and Nokia’s web browser is as good as any rival from Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG or Motorola, but next to the iPhone it’s browsing experience is a poor cousin. The iPhone’s Safari browser is as good as it gets, and Apple’s pinch-zooming action is second to none. This is how the internet should be. Sadly though, with the iPhone only offering up EDGE support, you won’t be spending much time using Safari, unless you spend your life in Starbucks. Whilst your mate’s waiting for a connection on his Jesus Phone, you’ll have been online and got what you wanted thanks to surf-anywhere HSDPA speed on the Nok.

Stat clash!

N95 8GB Multi-page web browser with real cursor and slick ‘page navigator’ overview. Oh, and the all-important HSDPA.

iPhone Safari built in with smart zooming, simple gesture control and multi-page abilities.

Beefcake battery

The N95 can keep itself in standby for a staggering 280 hours. That’s 30 hours more than the iPhone, although Apple’s handset crushes Nokia in talk time stats. Hate running home just to plug your phone in? Then the N95’s the handset for you. Wanna make longer calls while you’re out? It’s got to be the iPhone. We reckon this is a draw.

Stat clash!

N95 8GB 280 hours standby, 3 hours 30 minutes talk time.

iPhone 250 hours standby, 8 hours talk time.

Connectivity clash

The N95 boasts USB, Bluetooth, infra-red and Wi-Fi, and although the iPhone only lacks infra-red, its Wi-Fi will only browse the internet (not local networks) and its Bluetooth is limited to headsets only. That means no stereo streaming and no Bluetooth printing or file transfer. An easy win for Nokia.

Stat clash!

N95 8GB Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0, infra-red.

iPhone Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (limited to headsets), USB 2.0 (limited to disk use or iTunes syncing).

Navigation

We’ve decided against putting this into the contest as the iPhone doesn’t have satnav, giving the N95 8GB an unfair advantage. Funny that.

So there you have it. We’ve not really gone overboard on the N95 8GB and already it’s well ahead. Sure, it doesn’t have the slick user interface of the iPhone, but never judge a book by the cover! It’s what’s inside that really counts.