The 6500 Slide, available free on contract or for around £260 SIM-free, is not going to be a mainstream handset, but the good camera, excellent music player and innovative TV output feature will definitely gain it a cult following. However, we can't help thinking it would have had much broader appeal if Nokia had managed to squeeze these features into a less chunky design.

The Nokia 6500 slide may not be a groundbreaking mobile in terms of functionality or looks, and some may not like its solid design. But it does offer a generous spread of features - including a decent camera and fine music player - and a high-level performance in a refined, smooth design that's bound to attract many admirers.

The Nokia 6500 slide is a hard one to define and, though formally of the same bloodline, the 6500 classic isn't any better of a reference point. Nokia 6500 slide focus is on the imaging capabilities, plus, the brushed stainless steel exterior puts it in a more exclusive league.

Nokia 6500 slide is high on exclusivity and style but in a reserved or laid-back manner. It's not a cameraphone but has a very good camera. It's solid and capable but means less business than smartphones. It scores very high, both in terms of design and functionality, but is caught in crossfire due to its high price tag. With enough flashy premium handsets, heavyweight all-in-ones and practical but smart performers, pressure is coming from all ends on this otherwise highly recommendable device.

The 6500 Slide is an excellently designed 3G phone that manages to retain some style despite sporting a larger frame than the Classic version.

After playing with the Nokia 6500 slide for over a week, it merely comes across as a poor mans Nokia N95. The design is very similar, hence the reference, but the feature set no way near as fulfilling: no 5 megapixel camera, no dedicated music player, no GPS, no 8GB of on-board storage.

While the simplicity angle works well on the Nokia 6500 classic, here you come away wanting more for your bulky design.

That's not to say the phone, complete with its 3 megapixel camera doesn't perform well, because it does, it just doesn't leave you with the same satisfaction the classic does.