3 Skypephone S2x

Editor's Review of the Skypephone S2x

The 3 Skypephone S2x is an upgraded version of the Skypephone S2, offering a more compact feel with its 102.0 x 45.4 x 13.75 measurements and 95g weight. Looking sleek in its candy bar form, this handset's well-built shape makes it a comfortable hand-carry communication device. It is clad in a glossy black casing with a silver accent that makes it stand out.

Filling the front part of this handset is a QVGA display that measures 55.88 millimetres. It supports the display of graphics in 262,000 colours, and boasts a 240 x 320 pixel resolution. The buttons situated right below the QVGA screen are metallic and come with curved edges, making them confortable to use. This handset also comes with pre-set ringtones for users who opt to set their own call, text and other alerts.

The 3 Skypephone S2x is a tri-band handset, boasting HSDPA speeds and an integrated WAP browser that allows users to check out all their favourite Web sites. WiFi would have been a bonus, but the browser loads quickly thanks to thr 3G connectivity. This handset is also customisable, as it allows users to set their Favourites by adding links or removing them. In addition, it is reputed for its user interface that supports easy access to mobile applications such as Windows Live Messenger, Facebook and BBC News, among others. Notably, this mobile phone offers a "switcher key" that allows users to make quick flicks and spontaneous movements from one application to another via its revolutionary homescreen carousel.

This mobile phone, as its name suggests, offers an integrated Skype application. This allows users to view their Skype contacts in their phonebook, make free Skype-to-Skype calls and send instant Skype messages practically anytime and anywhere at a simple touch of a button. As a communication device, this handset allows users to make customary mobile calls to contacts that may not be on Skype. It also offers text messaging service with the Predictive Text feature.

The 3 Skypephone S2x enables users to transfer files with compatible devices such as another other mobile phone, scanner, printer, personal computer or laptop. Data sharing is possible through the USB facility, through which wires and cables are connected. For hassle-free data transfers, users may utilise the wireless Bluetooth technology.

To please photo buffs, this mobile phone comes with a rear facing 2 megapixel camera complete with digital zoom, perfect for capturing those special moments. We'd have liked to have seen a more powerful snapper onboard, as pictures can often lack in detail. The integrated camera also doubles as a video recorder, and for users who find listening to music enjoyable, this handset's onboard MP3 player is a good companion. Mobile gaming is also supported by the 3 Skypephone S2x as it enables users to enjoy embedded games in Java format.

This mobile phone's battery offers a standby time of up to 333 hours. It also allows users to speak with their friends and family for a maximum of 6 hours. Users may store as much as 160 Megabytes of data in this handset's internal memory. This storage capacity is expandable to up to 8 Gigabytes through the use of a microSD memory card.