The Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type is the first phone from Nokia to feature both a touch screen and the more traditional keypad. This best-of-both-worlds approach allows users to have all the fun of the touch screen experience, while keeping the undeniable practical benefits and ease of use that a keypad provides.

In terms of outward appearance, the Nokia X3 isn’t really breaking any new ground, but the 2.4” touch screen and super-slim design give the phone a modern, sleek look. Add to this the brushed aluminium cover, available in a range of 5 colours, and Nokia have a phone that would look good in anyone’s pocket.

Despite two sets of controls, though, the X3 Touch and Type is one of Nokia’s thinnest devices: it’s 9.6mm deep, 106mm tall, 48mm wide and weighs just 78g. The brushed aluminium finish and choice of five colours are also likely to appeal to fashion-conscious mobilists.

Even though it has a svelte profile, the X3 Touch and Type is full of features. It comes with four bands for voice, 3G, HSPA and WiFi for data, a music player and an FM radio. Mobile photographers get a 5-megapixel camera, with 4X digital zoom, which takes both still images and videos. The Communities app will keep you up-to-date with Twitter and Facebook.

The X3 Touch and Type has also got dedicated music and messaging keys for quick access to the music player and email. All the regular webmail and chat services are catered for by the included applications. Apps downloaded from the Ovi Store can be used through the 2.4-inch touch screen, so users don’t miss out on any of the latest games or productivity apps. They can also use the keys, of course, if they prefer, or adopt a hybrid approach.

PRICE: €125 (about £100)

SPECIFICATIONS
General
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
Announced 2010, August
Status Coming soon. Exp. release 2010, Q3

Size
Dimensions 106.2 x 48.4 x 9.6 mm, 45.2 cc
Weight 78 g

Display
Type TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors
Size 240 x 320 pixels, 2.4 inches

Sound
Alert types Vibration, MP3 ringtones
Speakerphone Yes
- 3.5 mm audio jack
- Dedicated music key

Memory
Phonebook Yes, Photocall
Call records Yes
Card slot microSD, up to 16GB

Data
GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
EDGE Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G HSDPA, HSUPA
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth Yes, v2.1 with A2DP
Infrared port No
USB Yes, v2.0 microUSB

Camera
Primary 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels
Video Yes
Secondary No

Features
Messaging SMS, MMS, Email, IM
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Radio Stereo FM radio with RDS
Games Yes + downloadable
Colors White Silver, Dark Metal, Petrol Blue, Pink, Lilac
GPS No
Java Yes, MIDP 2.1
- Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Gtalk
- Facebook, Twitter
- MP4/H.263 player
- MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
- Organizer
- Voice memo
- T9

Battery
Standard battery, Li-Ion (BL-4S)
Stand-by Up to 408 h (2G) / Up to 408 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 5 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G)