In summary, we feel that this is an excellent alternative to the 8800 Sirocco phone – it costs about the same, and it’s going to be just as exclusive. In many ways it’s a better phone with an improved LCD screen, a better keypad and the benefit of quadband. On the negative side it lacks a memory card slot and is rather heavy (just like the Sirocco), but the Nokia 8-series phones are about looks and exclusivity first and the 8600 offers both of these.

In terms of build quality and materials used, however, this handset is beyond competition today. In view of how popular all editions of the Nokia 8800 are, make no mistake about that – the Nokia 8600 Luna will be a bestseller on the market.

It’s not the ultimate phone but it looks better than nearly all the competition – the quintessential high fashion phone.

Luna is impossible to compare to regular handsets. There’s a lot lacking in terms of functionality: memory card, Mass Storage mode, miniUSB, 3G support, high-quality camera. Quite a few downsides, but all those seem exactly the functions people likely to buy a Luna will usually overlook. There are plenty of lifestyle gadgets to do all those jobs.

The Nokia Luna 8600 is a beauty with good call quality, but we didn’t fall for its cramped keyboard and its poor speakerphone quality.

Another case of style over substance, but when the 8600 Luna has this much class, we’ll forgive its feature flaws.

Nokia has really shot itself in the foot with the 8600 Luna. Build is a delight. Solid, classy and impressive. But as a camera or music phone it doesn’t approach being acceptable. In the end this heavily influences its value for money rating.

As good as the 8600 Luna looks-and it is pretty chic-this phone doesn’t have enough substance to back up its style.