Nokia 5310 review: XpressMusic slimline

Retail package doing well in terms of contents

There is quite a good number of niceties in the Nokia 5310 retail package. We found a 2GB microSD memory card but, as this is strictly market dependant, we cannot guarantee that everyone else will be getting that.

Other things to find in the moderately sized box are a DC charger and a handsfree of two parts - a remote with a 3.5 mm audio jack and a pair of earphones. We were pleased to find a microUSB cable included too, as these are not nearly as common as the miniUSB variety.

A CD with the required software and a manual complete the list of contents of the Nokia 5310 retail package. Not bad if you ask us, especially having in mind that the phone is nowhere near the expensive high-end segment.

Retail package contents

Nokia 5310 360-degree spin

Design and construction

Nokia 5310 is yet another slim device by the Finnish manufacturer. It is only 9.9mm thick, which may not be a world record but is surely a great achievement. It fits perfectly in almost any pocket, as its other dimensions (103.8mm height and 44.7mm width) are also quite compact. Furthermore, the weight of only 71 grams guarantees that it won't tear a hole in that pocket.

Nokia 5310 comes in two color versions - red and blue - and in our humble opinion both look very well on the handset. Most members of the team liked the blue one a bit more but the red one we were testing looked quite pleasing too. However, in all fairness, we have to admit that the seamless design of Nokia 6500 classic is truly hard to beat.

Anyway, speaking of color versions is quite arbitrary, as the only color enhancements are the aluminum bars on the front, one of which holds the dedicated music player controls. Red or blue, they do spice up the handset exterior and are a boost to its sporty youthful design.

The earpiece and the ambient light sensor share an aperture at the center at the top of the front panel. Below them is the 2" display that is going to receive due attention latter on in the review.

The earpiece and the light sensor share an aperture above the display

To the left of the display are the dedicated music keys, used for controlling the music player or the FM radio. As we see it, they are both functional and easy to use.

The dedicated music keys work like a charm on Nokia 5310

Continuing our journey down the phone's front panel we see the D-pad. It is surrounded by the two selection keys and the Call and End keys. All those controls are large enough and quite convenient. The last but one thing on the front is the keypad, which we'll come back to in more detail in a little while.

The D-pad and the controls surrounding it are large and easy to use

The mouthpiece, placed at the right side of the keypad, completes the list of elements on the phone front.

The mouthpiece to the right of the keypad

The thing to notice on the left side of Nokia 5310 is the charger plug, while the right side hosts the volume rocker and the neck/wrist strap eyelet.

The Nokia 5310 sides - volume rocker, lanyard eyelet and charger plug

The bottom of the phone is perfectly plain and bereft of operational elements, so we move on to the top of the device. The power button is here, near the left corner. The 3.5 mm standard audio jack is on the opposite side, while the microUSB port is between the two.

The 3.5mm standard jack, the microUSB slot and the Power key are all found topside

Placing the audio jack on the top of the phone is a smart decision indeed: you can easily carry the handset in your pocket with the headphones connected.

The only things on the back panel of Nokia 5310 are the 2 megapixel camera lens and the three loudspeaker grills. Pity no flash is there, which means that night shots are sure out of the question.

Nokia 5310's back side - loudspeaker grills at the bottom and the 2 megapixel camera at the top

Opening the battery cover reveals the BL-4CT battery and the SIM card slot. The battery is said to last 300 hours in stand-by or 5 hours and 20 minutes of talk time. While this might not be the best figures around you sure won't be forced to carry a charger with you at all times.

Nokia 5310 torn apart

It might seem that the SIM card can be inserted/taken out without removing the battery but this is in fact impossible because of the SIM holder lock.

"...Nokia 5310 is yet another slim device by the Finnish manufacturer. It is only 9.9mm thick, which may not be a world record but is surely a great achievement. It fits perfectly in almost any pocket, as its other dimensions (103.8mm height and 44.7mm width) are also quite compact..."

<#AdRectangle#>

Another opening hidden under the battery cover is the memory card slot. It is inconvenient, as you have to remove the cover every time you want to access your memory card. A slot on the surface might have just been a far better solution, although it would've probably spoiled the design a little.

Placing the memory card slot under the battery cover is inconvenient by all means

To wrap up inspecting the phone's hardware, we have to say that we are generally very pleased with its build quality. High-quality materials have been used and that contributes to both the handset's looks and sturdiness. The phone feels nice in hand but due to its extremely light weight it sometimes stands a little too toy-like. Still, if you don't have the largest of hands, this isn't a major concern at all.

Nokia 5310 held in hand