The Nokia 6300 is one of the best "standard" mobile phones you can buy. Even now, several years after it was first released, the 6300 continues to stand as a benchmark in the mobile phone market. With functions such as a Micro SD card slot, music player, digital camera, email applications and a comprehensive MMS/SMS service, if web browsing and access to numerous apps are not important features to you then you cannot go far wrong with the 6300.

The sturdy metal construct means that this phone can take a few knocks. The keypad, although small, is convenient enough for quick SMS typing even with chubby fingers such as mine and the inbuilt dictionary used by the predictive text function is comprehensive, meaning that most words can easily be spelt out without the need for much correction.

The comparatively large screen should suit most users although if using the phone for email functions or specialised services such as O2's email to mobile, longer emails can become something of a chore to read through and occasionally disjointed. With no HTML support, HMTL-rich emails will be nearly unreadable but those looking at this phone are likely not to use the email function too often. If, however, you do need email then POP3 email can be setup and manually checked as and when required.

The large screen also allows for a level of customisation of the home screen to include a simple day-planner and access to oft-used features, such as the music player.

Battery life is superb. Light users who may be making sporadic calls and sending/receiving the occasional SMS can realistically expect to only need to charge the phone every 3-5 days, although heavy users will find that long phone calls will quickly drain the battery life within a day.

The phone is compatible with Nokia's PC suite through a micro-USB cable which allows for quick transfer of files from a PC to the phone's Micro-SD card, or for backing up contacts.

On the downside, the phone does occasionally suffer from an issue where it never enters standby properly, instead displaying a greyed-out home screen. This can quickly drain the battery and if left in such a state can cause the phone to eventually break down. Rebooting the phone can correct this issue. There is also another issue where the phone will occasionally lock up upon booting if the user attempts to use the phone too quickly, although this is somewhat sporadic in occuring, but can only be remedied by removing the battery.

Accessing the micro-USB port is unnecessarily difficult, requiring the battery cover to be removed in order to pop out the tiny port-cover. This could prove confusing for first time users who may try and pry the port-cover open with a pin or similar and risk causing superificial damage to their handset.

Camera quality, both photographic and video, is poor and this will certainly not replace a digital camera. For the quick snap of something that catches the eye it is useful and the home screen can be arranged for quick access to the camera.

Those issues aside, the phone is reliable, with mine lasting three years to date, and only being upgraded due to needing more functionality. Calling quality is mostly clear, though in a low signal state breakups and call drop outs can be common. Potential buyers should check the signal levels in the areas they are most likely to use the phone before purchasing. Nokia supply a headset, although it is a very low-end one with only one earphone and a much better compatible headset can be purchased from a third party or direct from Nokia.

For those just needing a mobile phone and a sturdy, reliable one at that, perhaps for their children this would be ideal although it does support WAP so parents may wish to check for the relevent charges with their network before letting their children use it.