Nokia C3 Touch and Type

The basics

The Nokia C3 Touch and Type is one of the Finnish phone maker’s very sharpest phones, a brilliant combination of numeric keypad simplicity and futuristic touchscreen tech. It packs a 2.4-inch screen, with a 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, HSDPA web access, measures in at 106.2x48.4x9.6mm and tips the scales at just 78g. Symbian S40 completes the package, so this is more of a basic blower than a top-end smartie.

The good

Where to begin? The elegant steel bezel and brushed-metal frame make this phone classy. The design is absolutely ace, with sizeable keys which make tapping out text messages an absolute doddle, and comfortable too.

The touchscreen is a great addition and at 2.4-inches is sizeable enough to handle most tasks without causing frustration. Nokia has hit on a winning formula by combining a basic ’board with touch skills. The 5 megapixel camera is every bit as good as snappers found on an array of pricier smartphones, and its LED flash makes it great for night time shots.

The bad

S40 isn’t quite the cleverest of mobile operating systems and does feel limited, especially with so much up-to-date tech under the hood. There’s no GPS either, a real miss seeing as Ovi Maps is now storming the more expensive, high-end Nokia phones.

The bottom line

Ultimately, you have to remember that this is a budget phone, not a smartphone. The lack of sat-nav smarts shouldn’t trouble those after a simple mobile with a few modern-day benefits. This looks slick, sharp and couldn’t be easier to use. Once again, Nokia proves that it does budget best.