Nokia Lumia 800 review

Product Nokia Lumia 800
Website www.nokia.co.uk
Specifications 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor, 512MB of RAM, 3.7in AMOLED Clearblack display with 480x800 resolution, 16GB internal storage, no microSD card support, 8MP rear camera, no front-facing camera, Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, 117x61x12mm, 142g
Price From £26 per month on contract or £470 SIM-free

FINNISH PHONE MAKER Nokia is far from finished, even though it has been struggling in the smartphone market.

The decision to ditch the Symbian and Meego operating systems in favour of Windows Phone raised a few eyebrows, but the Lumia 800 is a very good effort, considering that it is Nokia's first Windows Phone handset. Features such as the 3.7in AMOLED Clearblack display together with the Nokia Drive and Nokia Music apps give the handset an edge over other Windows Phone devices.

Twins separated at birth
Nokia is renowned for crafting solid smartphones and the Lumia 800 is no exception. The handset is almost identical to Nokia's N9 smartphone that runs Meego, and features rounded edges and a slightly curved back giving it an ergonomic feel.

The 12.1mm chassis is moulded from a single piece of polycarbonate that comes in black, cyan or pink. As the pigment is injected into the casing during production, the body of the phone is scratch proof. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the metal plate that surrounds the camera on the back.

Two little flaps located on the top protect the micro-USB port and the microSIM card slot. Located along the right hand edge are the physical buttons to operate the camera, lock the handset and adjust the volume.

Nokia has followed Apple in two key aspects by sealing the device so the battery cannot be swapped out and incorporating a microSIM. Neither of these have affected sales of the Iphone.