The Nokia X3 is a 2.2-inch Series 40 handset that is pitched very much as an entry-level music phone with dedicated music keys and quick access to all your top tunes. Find out how we’ve been getting on with it in our Nokia X3 first impressions review…

The Nokia X3 is the second handset to be launched in the X Series range, following on from the high-end music enthusiast smartphone that it the Nokia X6. Both may be X Series handsets but in many respects they couldn’t be more different. The Nokia X3 isn’t a touchscreen phone, nor does it come with enough internal storage to shame the most dedicated of MP3 players.

Check out our Nokia X3 Unboxing

However, what it does deliver is some pretty neat features of its own. The body is robust and feels solid in the hand and feels a lot more self-assured than we expected from a sub-£100 phone.

The 2.2-inch screen comes with a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and the screen is remarkably bright, much more so than we were expecting. The Homescreen has the standard S40 layout and thanks to a rather large navi-pad and big function buttons, getting around the Nokia X3 is no trouble at all.

This is a slider phone, with the screen and function keys sitting on the top half, while the keypad sits on the lower, slightly chunkier, half. We found the slider action a little stiff at first but the device soon warmed up. The keypad is made from a single sheet of brushed aluminium

The X Series brings together the XpressMusic line into a range of its own and you can see this is some of the design details on the Nokia X3. For instance, hardware music function keys are integrated into the body – to the left of the screen – making it easy to control your music.

Then there is the placement of the 3.5mm audio jack on the top of the phone, making it easy to plug in and pop back into your pocket. Sound quality from the built-in speaker is nice and loud and the dedicated volume controls on the side, which also double as zoom buttons respond well. For quieter listening you’ll find some fairly basic in-ear headphones supplied. Sound quality is reasonable but not outstanding.

We’re actually quite surprised with the build quality and usability of the Nokia X3. Sure, it’s not going to win any awards for cutting-edge tech but it’s a great example of Nokia filtering its technology down into every most cost-effective handsets.

We’ve yet to test out the battery life and fully functions, such as the 3.2-Megapixel camera, but the Nokia X3 is shaping up to be something of a surprise hit!

The Nokia X3 is now available from Nokia Online and can be yours for just £129 (inc. VAT) SIM free.  You can choose from either Blue and Silver, or Red and Black. While you’re waiting for it to arrive, check out our unboxing below.

Check out our Nokia X3 Review (First Impressions) image gallery: