The Nokia X2-01 is a low-cost messaging phone designed to hit the shops before Christmas.. if only just.. at an estimated price of €80 before tax and carrier subsidy.

 

If you get over the fact that the X2-01 is a slightly strange-looking device, it soon becomes apparent that this is really a cut-down version of the Nokia C3-00, dropping the WiFi support from the C3 and downgrading the camera to a very basic 0.3 megapixel one.
However, you do still get a QWERTY keyboard, 2.4" 320 x 240 pixel display, Bluetooth, a microSD slot, a media player and an FM radio plus a 3.5mm audio connector.

 

You can use the QWERTY keyboard with the X2-01's built-in messaging and email applications, although you'd probably want to steer clear of web browsing on a device with no 3G or WiFi support.
It's a pretty tightly focussed device - if you are only interested in messaging then this phone might well be for you, but the lack of high speed data and the ultra-basic camera means that it will probably have limited market appeal, although it does look to have some promise as a music player too (especially as there is a stereo wired headset in the box).
Nokia say that the X2-01 will be available in red, deep grey, silver, lilac and azure colours.. in our opinion the lighter colours look much better, buy in any case Nokia have managed to make it a bit different to look at compared to other similar devices.
Slated availability is Q4, but if you are after a cheap Nokia messaging phone for Christmas then frankly you could always go for the existing Nokia C3 instead which does have the added advantage of WiFi.