Head to Head: Google Nexus One vs Nokia N900

We're starting our comparison clash of the titans with a head to head of the vital statistics on offer from both devices. So how do they compare when it comes to looks and size?

The Nokia N900 is a very different device in comparison to the Google Nexus One. The N900 is a chunky beast, with a sliding QWERTY keyboard and few other buttons around its casing.

The N900 is too large (measuring 59.8x18x110mm) to fit in a jacket without a bulge – something that comes as a slight disadvantage.

The Google Nexus One, however, is a pretty plain Jane device, with just a couple of keys below the screen, neatly integrated into the screen panel itself.

At just 59.8x11.5x119mm (WxDxH), Google’s device (manufactured by HTC) is much slimmer and more pocketable for those who would rather not have to explain themselves when the device is taking up residence in a pocket.

Winner: Google Nexus One

Screen

Both the N900 and Google Nexus One are all screen on first look, but there are major flaws with Nokia’s.

Like its Symbian devices (bar the X6), Nokia has scrimped on the N900’s screen, opting for resistive rather than capacitive as on the Google Nexus One.

The Nokia’s keyboard is slow to respond to prods and pokes, and requires a stylus for most actions.

It’s also TFT, compared to the Google Nexus One’s AMOLED beauty.

This comes with distinct disadvantages. TFT screens are traditionally harder to see in direct sunlight and have fewer viewing angles compared to AMOLED screens.

The latter is much brighter too and colour reproduction is better.

The N900’s screen is a smidgen smaller than that of the Nexus One – 3.5in vs 3.7in – and although this doesn’t make a huge difference, the Nexus One scrapes by.

Winner: Google Nexus One