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Vodafone was pretty clever with its 3G strategy. While 3 was busy trying to convince the general public that video calling was a feature that they couldn't live without, Vodafone was biding its time and waiting for the market to mature.

Eventually Vodafone dipped its toe in the murkey waters of 3G services and launched the 3G Mobile Connect card. The Mobile Connect card proved to be an excellent piece of kit that gave users mobile Internet access wherever there was 3G coverage, making it easier than ever to stay connected when on the move. Building on the success of the Mobile Connect card, Vodafone launched its 3G mobile phone service to an expectant public.

When 3 launched its 3G service, many potential buyers were put off by the large and unattractive handsets that were initially available. However, Vodafone's decision not to rush into a 3G launch meant that it had access to better hardware. I have to say that I was a bit concerned about what the Vodafone launch handsets would be like, but I needn't have worried because the Sony Ericsson V800 that Vodafone sent me to review is one of the best phones I've ever used.

There's no mistaking that the V800 is a Sony Ericsson phone, the silver and black finish has become almost synonymous since the success of the T610. The colour scheme also makes the phone look smaller than it actually is. That's not to say that it's large for a 3G handset, because it isn't, but it is larger than an average GSM phone. The V800 is also very light, and isn't going to weigh you down too much when it's in your pocket.

The V800 measures 102 x 49 x 24mm (HxWxD) and weighs in at a very reasonable 128g. As far as frequency support goes, the V800 is compatible with GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 networks – of course there’s also UMTS support for 3G networks. Sony Ericsson quotes a standby time of 240 hours and 10 hours talk time – having used the phone for some time now, I can say that I’ve been very happy with the battery life, especially considering the horror stories I’ve heard about 3G handsets.

It's been a while since I've used a clamshell phone and I'd almost forgotten how simple it is just to flip a phone open and dial, rather than having to unlock the keys first. Another thing that I found refreshing was the size of the buttons – with the ever decreasing dimensions of mobile phones, the buttons and navigation hardware have also become smaller and more tricky to use. Sony Ericsson has made good use of the phone’s dimensions and made the keypad a good size that’s very easy to manipulate.

When you open the V800 the black fascia becomes silver, while the keypad is contrasted in black. The top half of the clamshell is dominated by the 176 x 220 pixel colour LCD screen. The screen is one of the best I’ve seen on any mobile phone – it’s bright and the colours are very vivid, while video playback is smooth and detailed.

Navigation is handled by a four-way rocker pad with a central button. Hitting the central button will bring up the main menu – all the icons expand from a central point and the effect always impresses first time users. The features are comprehensive, and with the exception of a built-in FM radio, there’s nothing missing.