In the end we have a perfect niche solution (this is not a mass-market, just like any other phone with protective case), it does not have direct competitors, and there’s little chance that any will appear in nearest future. This model is extremely successful and deserves special attention. This is one of the best smartphones in Nokia’s and S60 history.

In short, the Nokia 5500 is the first truly durable and portable smartphone, but that durability inevitably brings certain restrictions with it. If the E61 is a Limousine and the N93 is a Ferrari, the 5500 is a Range Rover.

The Nokia 5500 is obviously geared to take advantage of the current trend for healthy living through personal exercise regimes. However it has not neglected any of the other aspects of mobile telephony.

Finally Nokia have decided to market a phone towards users who want a good phone at a cheap price. Rather than release another smartphone, the decision to leave off the N at the start of the name is a good one. Previously the N series phones have put a few older users off these fully featured handsets, and whilst the 5500 isn’t complicated to use, by no means is this a basic phone. Definitely one to consider.

Some very clever ideas, but not appropriate for those in serious training.

Although the 5500 Sport suffers from a few minor problems, the handset does have some brilliant features which will definitely appeal to users who are in need of this type of handset. The two main selling points of this handset are that it is rugged (knock, splash and dust proof) and that it has a pedometer and fitness management tools to assist in monitoring of progress and scheduling exercises.

The bottom line has to be that if you want to get fit and would like some tech to monitor progress, look elsewhere. The Nokia 5500 simply isn’t accurate enough to help you train seriously and this is why it has scored so low. On the other hand, it is a small and neat phone with S60 third edition smartphone capability, and so is very capable. It will appeal though to tradespeople such as painters and decorators, where a waterproof, dustproof handset will be just the ticket.