Nokia 5230 Nuron (T-Mobile)

Pros: Affordable phone with basic touchscreen function, free GPS for life, has most features of a smartphone, 3g capability at $10/month, dependable battery life and ability to download many application through OVI STORE.

Cons: Similar to everyone's comments, a lack of wifi and everything else is low grade due to it's pricing. In addition, a lack of USB charging capability which is a big negative for me.

Summary: I am currently holding a G1, which has some problems lately. It's battery has turn bad after a year and a half, can only talk for lest than an hour and it has pretty bad reception the whole time I'm using it; my concerns are those two. Other features I want are GPS, touchscreen capability, tethering, alarm clock, USB charge and a good note application.

As for the Nokia Nuron, actually for Nokia overall, I have never use this brand before because most of my charger are for USB. Therefore, all the phones have to have USB charging for convenience and cost reason.

Anyhow, I picked out this phone last week for my girlfriend; compare to the TMOBILE TAP, this one totally beat it with the free GPS for life. And now, myself looking for a new, more dependable phone that can take care of my problems. I have play with the Nuron and have researched about it. I can see Nokia's strategy to gain market with this phone. It is very simple with realistic use for ordinary people.

First, it is cheap, my girl got it for free with a 2 years contract without any other add-on (data plan). Tmobile site has it for $69.99 and unlock for $179.99 while Amazon Wireless and some other sites has it for free, new contract and upgrade. A price that cannot beat for a touch screen phone with most features. And last, even with data plan, it's only cost $10 to use with unlimited 3G service because it is not consider a smartphone.

Secondly, the GPS option; everyone needs this or at least wants one. It is voice guidance, 3D maps, and most important of all, FREE FOR LIFE. A basic Garmin will be $129 while this one included in the phone, for free, probably with free upgrade in OVI WEBSITE.

Third, I think it's more reliable than my G1. The battery lasts 7 hours talk time without 3G and 5 hours for 3G users. In addition, the signal is way better than my G1; in my house, G1 doesn't show 3G connection while the Nuron shows full bar, amazing. I have been complaining about this to tmobile, but there's nothing they can do.

And last, other features. For a regular phone, Nuron sures has a smartphone capabilities. Even though some of these might be important for some users and not for others; touchscreen seem good enough for me, regular camera with new features for me even though no flash which I'm used to, Ovi store for more applications, 3G network, texting works great in landscape mode (I'm so release to see this), bluetooth, social network build in, email sync, and so on. I am quite impress with the build in dictionary, which is something my girl needs for her language that can cost a few hundreds on a separate machine. Also, it come with a 3.5mm headphone jack which quite convenience for musics and radio feature. In addition, I did some research and some said that it does tethering as well, through OVI store's application. Be nice if someone can confirm this; it is a big plus.

Overall, hopefully this evaluation will help me and others to pick the right choice. If you want a real smartphone, then this is not it. I am tired of having expensive phones with poor battery uses and application that I never use. This is just a regular phone for regular people who wants extra features for no cost. The GPS sure saves lives. Even though the lack of wifi might cost people $10 to buy the data plan, but the phone itself and GPS do not need internet to operate; therefore, it depend if you really want to sync email, download application, and go online. However, the cost of $10 is not that much compare to other plans. I am still very hesitated since I have to replace all my USB charger. In addition, if someone can clarify about tethering, please let me know. I still think it's a great touchscreen phone and it is on the top of my list at this time. Hope that'll help some people.