I've been looking at these devices for a while. I primarily want my phone for pictures, navigation (with internal maps [no data]), and phone calls. I have been burned on two N900's although there is a listing for one that claims it is in its sealed factory box. I like the idea of the n900 although I'm not sure I would ever use it to close to its full capability.

It seems all of these devices can do what I want and do them well but is there a reason I should pick one device over the other? I'm not terribly informed when it comes to phones.

N900 is not that good for navigation. I would go for 808 if you're not into linux too much or if you don't do heavy browsing.

N900 is the workhorse of the three, the most close thing to computer replacement in your pocket. If I have the N900 with me I feel I can tackle whatever job I might need to do on the spot. I cannot say that for the other two. However, my primary phone is the N9, which is a charm for one handed quick and intuitive use.

(Hmm, maybe I wasn't the right person to answer this after all...)

No, that was a perfect answer!

N900 is really the work horse (and not replacable )
But navigation is out of the box impossible,
but if you like to tinker there are a few replacements (e.g. modrana).
Camera is oob quite okay, but bless and fcam make it almost perfect.
Calls? Who makes calls with N900? Okay, but ...

N9 does all out of the box, is a device with linux capacities.

808 no personal experience, but should do all you want (probably best camera). With a good Smbian OS, but not as open and twekable as a Maemo/MeeGo.

I think that n9 is the best choice for you...
After having a n8 and after this a n900 for a while I think that maemo is better than symbian... but, n900 is an "old" phone and has not the camera that n9 has....
So I think that n9 is faster and better for daily use and for programming if you are interested!
(I don't have a n9 but I love this phone )
From the other hand 808 is the phone with the best camera out there, I think... But with symbian, this phone has no future and we all know it!

so I had a N900 but its usb port was broken and failed to repair it.
I got a gnexus but I dont really like it.

hows the N9 compared to the N900? Now there is a good price for the N9 64g, or Im better off with a new N900? Im guessing both share the same apps / similar hard / battery life?

I do appreciate both the N900 keyboard and the N9 thinness so Idk which one of the 2. Im a bit scared about the musb port on the n900 but I guess I can just reinforce it from day one

How much is the average price of a N900 today?

About £80 for a used one in a good condition. I don't think you can buy a new one any more. You can see a few advertised as "new" on eBay or Amazon, but when you look closer you find they are all shipped from Hong Kong. We've heard horror stories from people buying such phones. "New" - with a new screen but previous owner's data stll on them.

If you're looking for pictures, go for the 808 without a doubt. You will be amazed with the quality of the 808 photos & videos.

Is not a phone with a very good camera, in my opinion is a professional camera with phone capabilities. 808 was also given Gold award from DPreview and is the only mobile at the moment with that rating.

I love it.

well, MM10 does perfect navigation job on n900. Also, I am not aware of any other device capable of interrupting the music you're listening on your car radio to give you navigation instructions . Also, the pictures taken with N900 camera are IMO deffinitely better than those taken with n950 (no idea about n9 though)