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Nokia 8310
Price: £280

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Robert Irvine

This review updated: 30/10/2002
Featured in magazine:
Issue 42, page 43
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: Virgin
Tel: 0845 600 0600
Web Address: www.virgin.com/mobile


The Nokia 8310 is one of the more expensive pay-as-you-go phones, but not without reason. For one, it's compatible with GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), giving you speedy access to mobile internet services. Then there's the built-in FM radio, which allows you to listen to your favourite stations while on the move, using the supplied stereo headset. Add to this a voice recorder, capable of storing up to three minutes of speech, sound or an active call; voice-activated dialling; and handy everyday functions such as a calendar, alarm clock and stopwatch. Suddenly £300 doesn't seem so extortionate after all. The absence of a ringtone composer is disappointing, but plenty of melodies are available on the internet.

The 8310 maintains the user-friendly menu of other Nokia phones, although its design might not be to everyone's taste. It's incredibly small and light (only 84g) but the eerie bluish-white light behind the keypad is either supremely cool or rather garish, depending on your state of mind. Still, there are several coloured fascias to choose from if you don't like the standard black-and-white one. Looks aside, the 8310 works like a dream. It's fast and reliable with clear audio output.

With so many functions, four decent games, and slick internet connectivity, the 8310 is a smashing phone to take on long journeys. It's just a shame the handset doesn't offer more than four hours of talk time, as you could easily play with it all day.

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