It's like few seconds better.
If we just make the "long press" quicker, it be the same:

iPhone:
1) move your finger from right to left
2) click delete

maemo:
1) press your finger in the file (holding)
2) click delete (be aware that you don't need to hold and move, once the menu is there, you can release your finger and press what you need, like on iPhone...)
3) confirms

I don't how is the iPhone batch delete, the maemo:
1) Click at top
2) Click delete
3) Click at files you want to be deleted
4) Click delete
5) Click confirm

I don't think trash is a good idea, I preffer confirmation.
Also, I don't delete files/email that often...