As well as being a far more effective way of organising contacts, the INQ1 also has an ace up its sleeve as within the list it also lets you see who is online, so you can contact them by either Facebook, Windows IM or Skype.

Multimedia features

Tight integration with web apps may be the INQ1's raison d'etre, but it also obliges in providing the features expected of any self-respecting mobile phone. A 3.2-megapixel camera is provided so you can upload your party snaps, as they happen, to Facebook. Unfortunately, though, there's no flash so capturing details in darker locations is a problem.

The dedicated music player is basic, and you'll have to store tracks to a removable microSD card due to the lack of onboard memory. There is, however, a link to let you log in to a Last.fm account to add a touch of variety to your tunage. Quality is acceptable although not on a par with more music-oriented handsets. It's not helped by the lack of a 3.5mm jack or adaptor, meaning you'll have to make do with the supplied headset or utilise the Bluetooth A2DP support and invest in a wireless set.

One of the big boons to many of 3's handsets, including the INQ1, is their ability to double as a tethered modem. This means you can hook the phone up to your laptop PC or Mac on the move and make use of its HSDPA data connection to access the internet; just make sure you don't exceed your data allowance if you don't want to pay through the nose. It's also worth bearing in mind there's no support for Wi-Fi – though that's not really a big surprise at this price point .

Sound performance

Accessing the INQ1's various web apps is helped by HSDPA support, although in areas not covered by the faster data speeds loading pages can be susceptible to hanging. Sound quality on calls was good on the whole, and battery life was above average. However, avid Facebookers will find that constant 3G and HSDPA use will inevitably drain the battery much quicker.

For a first foray into the mobile phone market, INQ has excelled in producing a handset that offers such intuitive integration with existing online communities. Affordable, easy to use and a genuinely useful tool, the INQ1 is perfect for those who don't need the sophistication of a smartphone but still demand an element of syncing with their digital lives.

Admittedly the odd corner has been cut and the INQ1 won't win any style awards, but for £80 on pay as you go there is little room for criticism.

Network availability: 3

Looks: 3.5/5
Ease of use: 4/5
Features: 4/5
Call quality: 4.5/5
Value: 5/5