Its unique, square slider design makes the X5 arguably the most unusual phone – shape and form factor-wise – from global handset leader Nokia.

Unveiled in Singapore on the sidelines of the recent CommunicAsia at its annual “Connections’ event, the X5 is optimised for three things that the young and restless like to do these days: messaging, social networking and listening to your favourite music fun while on the move. With a 2GB in-box memory card, expandable up to 32GB, the device can easily accommodate over 1000 tracks and an easy connection to Nokia’s Ovi Store, makes downloads a cinch.

The full slide out qwerty keyboard, makes typing messages easy – a feature that has been hitherto available on costlier smart phones. Most IM accounts like Yahoo Messenger and GoogleTalk are supported and one can log on to multiple email clients, HotMail, G Mail, YahooMail etc. The camera is no toy either, at 5 megapixels and an LED flash. Connectivity includes GSM/Edge/WCDMA/ as well as wireless LAN for catching a local hotspot.

The product will become available in July and the suggested global price in euro 165 which might make it around Rs 10,000 in India. Hardcore social networkers might think that is good value for a device designed just with them in mind.

Anand Parthasarathy from Singapore June 26 2010