I don't think people compare the N900 to iPhone, BB and Android because the latter are "phones" per se. They do so solely because those are the N900's competitors. The lines between "mobile computer", "phone", "smartphone" and the likes are fading and its futile to delve into definitions here. Imagine Apple had released the iPhone priced the same but without a browser and an e-mail application because its a phone and not an internet tablet.

To be honest, ironically, I think most problems with the N900 are NOT related to the phone functionality, which seems quite fine to me. So you say its an internet tablet and not a phone. What do you have to say about the fact that the E-Mail Application on the N900 is shittier than those on other "phones"? What do you have to say about the fact that other "phones" are getting Flash 10.1 support while this "internet tablet" isn't? What do you have to say about the fact that other "phone" platforms have better and more applications than this "open" "internet tablet OS" community?

The analogy of a Zebra and a painted Horse may be true; whether you blame the buyer for getting fooled or the seller for deceiving is another story.

I, for one, still love my N900 (writing this post from it) but I just think it has been treated carelessly. I just need a quality e-mail application, quality maps application, smoother UI (though I could live without it), Flash 10.1 support and quality applications.