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The 6650 is an unusual example of a clamshell mobile phone from Nokia. It is exclusive to T-Mobile where it is available from free on contracts from £30.

Right out of the box the 6650 makes the point that Nokia should really steer clear of the clamshell format altogether. In my mind, clamshells are all about three things. They should be small and neat when closed, open up to a size that is not too tall, and offer a large inner screen and number pad. The 6650 succeeds on the last of these counts but fails on the first two.

Inside the clam, the main screen measures 2.2 inches diagonally and delivers a standard 240 x 320 pixels. It fills most of the available width, but there is a little empty space above and below, although not enough to grumble about. The screen is sharp clear and bright enough.

The keypad section is nicely designed from an ergonomic point of view. The whole area is flat with the number keys occupying plenty of space. They are visually differentiated from each other by a lozenge of matte black that sits vertically within the otherwise shiny black surface. This is surrounded by a backlight. Above the number keys are calling end keys, the Nokia menu key, cancel key and soft menu keys. The D-pad is a large silver square.

Everything on the keypad falls comfortably under the finger. But its construction feels a little cheap and I really don't like the visual design even though you can set the colour of the backlight to that lozenge with options including red, purple, green, yellow and teal.

There's nothing particularly small or neat about this phone. It weighs 113g and with the clamshell closed it measures 47mm wide 16mm thick and an absolutely massive 99mm tall. With the handset opened, this height measurement comes close to 180mm. When you're on a call the phone certainly reaches from ear to mouth but in the hand it just feels too big.

Then there is the general styling which I am afraid just doesn't appeal to me. The backplate is silver as is much of the front fascia. The edges are black plastic. It is nothing new, and in fact it looks a little behind the times to me.

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