The Nokia 5230 is the entry-level model in the Symbian S60 5th Edition range of touchscreen smartphones and takes many of its design cues from the hugely successful Nokia 5800. Find out how well it stacks up with our Nokia 5230 Unboxing and hands-on review…

The Nokia 5230 is a 3.2-inch touchscreen smartphone that comes with the same neat body shape as the Nokia 5800. However, this is very much an entry-level model (you can pick it up for £99 PAYG). So, befitting a device half the price of the Nokia 5800 you’ll find the build quality isn’t quite as robust.

Check out the Top 10 Free Apps for the Nokia 5230

There are obvious differences, such as the step-down to a 2-Megapixel with no dual-Flash. Nokia has also done away with the built-in stylus. Other differences are a little more discrete: there is no Wi-Fi built in, and you won’t find any memory card bundled with the Nokia 5230, so unless you have a card to hand, you’ll find yourself initially limited to the 70MB of internal that comes built-in.

The Nokia 5230 may be all about the entry-level but we were impressed with how responsive the screen proved. The Homescreen is the same as you’ll find on the Nokia Xpressmusic, as well as the Nokia 5800 V40 firmware update. So, you’ll find quick access to your email and most popular apps, as well as a scrolling Contacts list that can handle 20 friends with ease.

Then there are the keys features you’ll find, such as HSPDA for quick data speeds. Then there is GPS and full access to Ovi Maps, as well as other services such as Ovi Share, Ovi Mail and the Ovi Store.

We’ll be testing the Nokia 5230 out over the next few weeks but in the meantime, grab yourself an eye-full of what comes included in the box.

Check out our Nokia 5230 Unboxing photo gallery: