N9 is the first device running on new OS so it got nothing to do with any hw cycle. Symbian in a other hand has crap long development cycle just by looking at the leaks, release time difference and what Nokia workers have been telling on the amazing internets. WP being perfect example if it there will be 2-3 Windows Phones released by the end of this year.
yeah and the AndroidOS is optimized for the new hardware? NOT Even if N9 hw is old I am 100 percet sure it is faster(more optimized and tested) than many new devices with Android even dualcores.