Every mid-range business phone Nokia releases is heralded as the model that will finally tempt die-hard 6310 users to enter the colour world, and with long-time 6230i users now also reluctant to give up their trusty old mobiles, there's a gap in Nokia's range for a phone which promises longevity as much as bells and whistles.

The Nokia 6300 could be that phone. It's not 3G, but then if you're still using a 6230i or a 6310, web access is unlikely to be a priority, whatever the speed. It's a lightweight, slimline candybar which does the everyday tasks well and includes most of the current in-vogue features - camera, music player, web browser, Bluetooth - for users who want to do more than phone and text.

The 6300's build quality is excellent, and the brushed metal casing feels like it'd really go the distance. It's light but not flimsy, and the stainless steel battery cover is so rigid that it's a struggle to get it off and on again - and is unlikely to loosen over time like so many of today's plastic cases which rarely seem to see out their contracts.

The keypad follows the metallic theme, and the keys are responsive and return a healthy click. They seem a little small at first, but you'll soon be hitting all the right buttons with a little practice. The four-way navigation and main selection keys are large and equally responsive, and the other selection keys are far enough apart that you won't hit the wrong one in error. Best of all, the 6300 is small and light enough to fit neatly and comfortably into the palm of the hand.

The screen isn't huge, but the 240x320 resolution lets you view texts, web pages and photos comfortably. The Series 40 operating system is the standard efficient and intuitive Nokia fare, although the camera application is a portrait-only mode - the lack of a dedicated shutter button on the 6300 reflects the fact that the 2-megapixel camera is a useful extra rather than a primary selling point. The results are sharp and bright, though. There's also no flash, although today's LED flashes are largely ineffective anyway, and usually only reflect an ugly blue glare back off the subject.

Two LEDs on the edge of the phone flash bright blue every few second when you have an unread text or missed call. It's a subtle reminder and a useful addition to the design of the 6300.

A built-in loudspeaker is loud and distinct, and a microSD slot safely stowed away beneath the metal casing means you could store up to 2GB of music; a 128MB card comes in the box to complement the 7.8MB of on-board memory.

Standard USB connectivity means you can connect the Nokia 6300 to a PC to back up data to Nokia PC Suite, to print directly to a PictBridge printer, or simply to use the phone and its media card as a data storage device. In an industry long hampered by proprietary ports and cables, it's refreshing to see Nokia embracing an industry standard, and although no mini-USB cable is supplied in the box, if you have a digital camera or GPS device, chances are you'll have a cable lying round the house.

The Nokia 6300 is a full-featured, good looking and well-built mobile phone that will satisfy the needs of most users - including those seemingly glued to their 6310s. Quite simply a joy to use.

Nokia 6300 technical specifications.