Looks aren’t everything. But occasionally they can be enough. For many buyers — especially those who are upgrading and can get a replacement phone for little or no extra outlay — it’s the looks rather than the technical features of a handset that attract them.

It is no coincidence that the biggest-selling handsets in recent years have also been the two most iconic designs: Motorola’s Razr V3 and the LG Chocolate phone. However, glossy fashion phones can be temperamental and buyers should consider what’s beneath the surface before they part with any money.

Posh designs often mask shonky software or modest specs and the touch-sensitive controls of, say, the LG made it no treat to own. Many fashion phones are creations for those who want something unusual at the expense of good taste, such as Nokia’s L’Amour range, which is swathed in gaudy gilt etchings and leather trim but looks like a spare piece of dashboard from a Hyundai. Beware also of models tarted up as “special editions” to clear older stock, such as the Cath Kidston range for Nokia or the D&G version of the ancient Motorola Razr.

Nor is there any point in toting a phone that’s misery to play with. You may not want blazing fast 3G internet speeds or smartphone features but it’s crucial that the basics are right: make sure the keys are where you expect them to be, and that they’re backlit so you can send a text from a wine bar’s modishly dim ambience.

All of the style-conscious handsets reviewed here have a backlit keypad and an acceptable 2Mp camera — for that impromptu evening out shot — plus Bluetooth to help share the best pictures without wires. Each also has a memory card for storing photos or music, though two (hang your heads, LG and Nokia) hide this underneath the battery.

Today, some people have multiple mobile phones: a daytime powerhouse that looks utilitarian and another for evening best, chosen not for its functions but the ability to turn heads, and if that’s your bag, there’s a tasty treat for you here.

EXECUTIVE TOY

Five stars

Nokia 6300 — typically free with contract, or £205 from www.expansys.com

Functional yet stylish handset with understated class

This slimline steel-and-black phone will attract admiring glances, yet remains discreet enough for the boardroom. The specs are more respectable than amazing, but few chief executives will feel hamstrung by its capabilities. The bright screen was noticeably the best under review, and the handset had exceptional stamina, lasting several days on standby. Frills include a modest camera and a microSD memory-card slot tucked annoyingly under the back cover. The Nokia software and backlit keypad are solid enough and the music player was acceptable. If you want a grown-up non3G handset, this is the daddy.

STYLE ICON

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