It has a typically straightforward to use S60 user interface, with tracks categorised into familiar lists, and music player controls operated by the D-pad. It does its job very well indeed.

Help from Google Maps

A-GPS is another welcome bit of technology crammed in to the i8510. Although it does have Route 66 Sat Nav software pre-loaded, it's not set up for out of the box satellite navigation – you first have to activate the package by subscribing to the service.

You can use the useful Google Maps app to get spot-on positioning, route-planning, satellite views plus location-based searching for services points of interest and addresses.

We found that the A-GPS didn't establish positioning with satellites quite as quickly as on the latest Nokia Sat Nav-enabled phones we've tested, but once it got a fix it held on solidly enough.

The A-GPS technology can be used with additional applications. Photos can be 'geotagged' with positioning metadata, so you can view where they were taken on an onscreen map, while the pre-loaded GyPSii social networking app can incorporate location data into real time friend-finding, geotagged image swapping, and so on.

Web-based applications are well catered for, thanks to Wi-Fi and high-speed HSDPA mobile data connectivity. The S60 browser used here puts in a good performance, rendering pages quickly and efficiently, with a variety of page views and pan and zoom options.

It's similar to a Nokia Nseries browser, and supports Flash for a more convincing web experience. Web feeds can also be stored, while the phone's trackpad control makes scanning through pages quick and mouse-like.

In addition to uploading and social networking services like Shozu and GyPSii, the i8510 has a good selection of other web-based apps onboard.

A Google folder inclues Google Mail and Search apps to go with Google Maps, while the Yahoo! Go mobile application is pre-loaded – bringing together a number of services, from email to news updates and location services to weather reports, in one application as a kind of alternative widget-alike home page.

The pre-loaded Fring application enables cheap VoIP internet voice calling and instant messaging over a range of popular services, using Wi-Fi or mobile data connections.

Samsung's been generous with its spread of pre-loaded third-party applications, and as the i8510 is an S60 smartphone users can easily add more to customise it. Samsung has also included push email, plus a plentiful supply of regular organiser applications – including calendar, notes, convertor, clock functions, calculator and dictionary. Adobe PDF and Quickoffice document viewers are included too, although editing documents requires an optional software upgrade. A couple of decent 3D Java games are included too – FIFA 08 and the Asphalt 3 Street Rules motor racing game.

Performance

Not forgetting that voice calling is still an important feature of any multimedia-driven mobile device, the i8510 checks in with a top class performance. Calls are clear, with high quality audio delivery.

Battery performance though is obviously going to be issue with any handset boasting so much high-end gadgetry. It's difficult to judge exactly how well it will perform for you, as individual usage will vary so much, depending on how much the more power-hungry features (like GPS, Wi-Fi, video playback and so on) are used. Simply, the more juice-sapping features you use, the more often you'll have to charge it. We found ourselves charging the phone every couple of days with our normal usage, but we occasionally had to charge daily if we used certain features heavily. Samsung estimates that the i8510 can provide talktime of up to 5 hours in 3G coverage or 8.5 hours on other mobile networks, while it can run on standby for up to 330 hours.

Summary

It's not just the 8-megapixel camera that's impressive on this device – Samsung has put together a smartphone that's packed with functionality and is well geared up take on Nokia's current crop of Nseries handsets.

With stacks of internal storage, a great set of features and a top-class performance, this is the finest mobile phone we've yet seen from Samsung. Highly recommended.

Network availability: O2 (others TBC)

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