The Nokia X3 is the second device in the X Series range of music phones. Unlike the Nokia X6, this handset is aimed very much at the entry-level market. This doesn't stop the Nokia X3 being something of a surprise hit, find out why with our full review.
There are two things you notice about the Nokia X3 as soon as you pick it up and start using it. The first is the size, measuring 96 x 49 x 14mm and weighing in at just 103g, it has a good weight in the hand. Sure, the phone is a little on the chunky side but that's down to this being a slider phone.
Check out our Nokia X3 unboxing
The second thing you notice is how bright the 2.2-inch screen is. Sure, it has a rather modest 240 x 320-pixel resolution but aside from being bright it's also highly legible.
The overall build quality of the Nokia X3 is good. The slider works reasonably well for the price of the phone and it generally has a tough feel. The button layout is simple, with large function buttons and an even large D-pad for navigating around the Series 40 operating system. Reminding you this is very much a music phone, you'll find dedicated music player keys to the left of the screen.
We like the layout of the Nokia X3 as it's rather fuss-free and easy to use. The Homescreen is arranged into five bars, allowing you to have four dedicated apps, defaulted to Email, Music Player, Ovi Store and Radio. There is also a top bar with a further five apps placed. Moving around the screen is easy using the D-Pad and it can also be used to access the main menu for a wider list of apps.
Check out the Nokia X3 Tech Spec
When it comes to music, you'll need to rely on a microSD card as the 46MB of free internal memory isn't really sufficient. A 2GB card comes supplied but it will ready support up to 16GB cards, capable of holding up to 4000 MP3 files. The hardware media keys work well and you can alter the sound volume using the hardware keys on the right-hand side of the Nokia X3. These buttons also double-up as zoom controls for the 3.2-Megapixel camera.
When it comes to using the camera, there is a hardware button on the side. Alternatively, you can use the D-pad. It's this versatility that adds to the appeal of the Nokia X3, as it's such a simple device to use. The camera may have a decent resolution but with no auto-focus and only a single flash, it's not the most advanced camera out there. What's more, the screen feels a little too small as a viewfinder. Then again, we're spoilt after the larger screens of the Nokia X6 and Nokia N86 8MP.
So, does the Nokia X3 live up to expectations? Well, considering the Nokia X3 is expected to sell for less than £100 (inc. VAT), we think this is something of a bargain device. True, it's not about to compete with the likes of the Nokia N900 or even the Nokia X6 in terms of cutting-edge tech or flexibility but as a device that's a rock-solid phone with a style all its own, we're expecting the Nokia X3 to be the pick of the bunch.
Check out our Nokia X3 review image gallery:
