Nokia X3 Review

Introduction:

With the announcement of the first models of the new “X” Series, the Nokia X3 and Nokia X6, the manufacturer has turned over a new leaf in the development of their music line-up that was, until recently, called XpressMusic. Today, we are introducing the Nokia X3 that is less spectacular than the X6, but will certainly appeal to people on the lookout for a compact and affordable music-oriented handset. The X3 is a slider phone utilizing Series 40 interface and equipped with 2.2-inch display, 3.2-megapixel camera and the mandatory, for today´s all-about-music devices, 3.5mm jack and stereo loudspeakers. One of the more interesting extra features of the handset is the presence of a built-in FM Radio aerial – something that is quite rare these days.  

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• 2.2" 262K color QVGA display
• 3.2 megapixel fixed focus camera
• S40 user interface, 6th edition; rudimentary multitasking
• Stereo FM radio with RDS; Built-in antena (so it plays on the loudspeakers even if you don’t plug the headset)
• Stereo speakers
• Standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Up to 26 hours of music playback
• Bluetooth (with A2DP) and microUSB port
• microSD card slot (16 GB supported, 2GB included)
• Rich preinstalled application package
• Ovi Store, Ovi Maps and Ovi Share

Main disadvantages:

• No 3G connectivity
• Smallish display with poor viewing angles and sunlight legibility
• Slider action has an unpleasant plastic-on-plastic friction
• No accelerometer for screen auto rotation
• S40 interface feels clunky and out of date
• No true multitasking
• No smart dialing or an office document viewer
• A bunch of software bugs
• Video recording maxes out at QCIF@15fps

What´s in the box:

• The Nokia X3
• 2GB microSD expansion card
• Charger
• The Nokia WH-205 stereo headset
• MicroUSB cable
• User guide
• Software CD

Design:

Just take a quick look at the Nokia X3 and you will immediately notice it´s successor to the handsets of the XpressMusic line-up. The proof, the motley design elements on the front side, is right in front of your eyes. The one on the left hand side is actually the volume rocker and its buttons are almost flush with the surface, but still, you won´t have any troubles pressing them. The X3 unit we´ve got is in black and red, but the handset is available in grey and blue color solution as well.

The Nokia X3 is also available in gray and blue colors

The Nokia X3 is quite compact really. It´s predominantly made from plastic and feels relatively fragile and, unfortunately, cheap in your hands.

The X3 comes with 2.2-inch display with native resolution of 240x320 pixels that is, frankly, nothing to write home about as per today´s standards. Despite its 262k color support, the images it delivers appear worn out and thin in the dark, just like what cheap, entry-level handsets offer. Fortunately, the device is totally usable in direct sunlight – everything on the screen gets kind of monochromic, but remains easily readable. 

The slider feels tight while being opened, although we can´t say it´s among the best we´ve seen. Still, its quality is passable for a phone in this class. The keypad is enjoyable to use, because it sports large buttons that are clearly felt when pressed. You might think it´s made of metal when you see it first, but you will find out it´s actually plastic the minute you touch it. One of the stereo loudspeakers is right below, with the second located on the top side, next to the 3.5mm jack, microUSB port and the one for Nokia´s previous generation of chargers. The right and left hand sides of the device feature uncluttered design and what you´ve got is handy camera shutter, volume rocker and microSD expansion card slot.