Another Member of the Reliable Nokia Clan

The Simple yet Stylish 2330 Classic, from Nokia

As well as releasing some more up-market devices, Nokia seem to be making a habit of adding to their evergreen line of budget phones – many of which sacrifice the majority of high-end features and applications. In some senses, the 2330 Classic is no different and follows this popular trend: it’s affordable, and the candy-bar design is that of the retro Nokia handset that all technology enthusiasts have learned to love. Surprisingly, however, the 2330 also packs in a bunch of additional features that you’d probably expect to pay more for – nothing to complain about if you’re counting the pennies but don’t want to miss out on all of what advanced mobile technology has to offer.

What We Like

The biggest plus when it comes to the 2330 Classic is the fact that, despite its improved feature-set, the phone is still relatively cheap. At just £5 a month over a 2 year contract or £20 on a pay-as-you-go tariff, it’s safe to say that this is a strong competitor when it comes to getting value for money.

The 2330 also performs well above initial expectations on the design front. The silver and black finish looks sleek and sharp, and the navigation buttons are clearly laid out for maximum ease of use. The phone itself benefits from being lightweight at a minute 80g and is the ideal size to slot straight in to any pocket.

Also impressive is the phone’s excellent battery life. The manufacturer’s specification indicates that you can squeeze out 520 hours of standby time and 4 hours and 40 minutes of talk time from this phone – an incredible feat considering there’s even a neat music player that’s compatible with ACC files present on this robust handset.

What We Don't Like

The most obvious and irritating flaw of the 2330 Classic is the fiddly alphanumeric keypad, which makes for a real disappointment considering the effectiveness of the well-designed navigation bar. The keys are cramped and generally feel uncomfortable to type with - despite the handset’s overall high build-quality.

Further disappointments come with the phone’s music player, which is a good feature in itself but omits the add-ons it needs to be entirely successful. The 2.5mm headphone jack that comes in the retail pack means you have no alternative but to use the poor quality headphones provided. Furthermore, the rather restrictive 32MG of on-board memory leaves a lot to be desired. A 40 minute album of songs isn’t exactly ideal for those who want to combine a phone and an mp3 player in one, meaning anyone who thinks the 2330 can replace their dedicated music player is very much mistaken.

Conclusion

Yet again, Nokia have produced a sturdy, reliable phone that won’t break the bank and will become one of your most dependable companions with its solid build – despite a poor keyboard - and usability. Of course, and as should really be expected considering its low price-tag, there are some omissions in terms of features with this handset that will definitely put off the technology-loving smartphone carrier. Still, if it’s a cheap and easy device with a few extra perks that you’re scanning the overcrowded mobile phone market for, look no further than this Classic Nokia.