Panasonic VS2 mobile phone

A budget handset with a high-end screen.

Sporting a fantastic screen and boasting a budget price, has Panasonic actually managed to create a decent handset for the lower end of the market? Judging by this clamshell's impressive display, yes it has.

One tap of the auto-open button on the hinge and the clam just flips open, showing off the gorgeous 2.2-inch screen in all its glory. It's unbelievably crisp and clear, which is something quite special considering the price. The great opening mechanism, meanwhile, adds a touch of class, although, having a sprung flip did mean we found shutting it one-handed rather cumbersome - where's the auto-close button?

Style-wise, this handset's a bit dull and metallic, both inside and out, lacking the interchangeable covers of its more upmarket VS3 sibling. And while it's slim enough to sit nicely in your jeans pocket, it's certainly no RAZR.

The simple menu system is easy to use and it comes alive on the great LCD. The lozenge-like buttons also feel nice to the touch, but unless you've got tiny fingers, you're more than likely to press the small directional dial in the wrong direction.

Impressively, we managed to wring out a massive two weeks of battery life from this handset, which is great by any mobile's standards. There's also a decent megapixel camera on board, which has a dedicated switch for close-up shots. It's a shame, though, that there's no photo light, no card slot for storing snaps and no Bluetooth for transferring them easily to a computer.

Still, while this may not be the most stylish or sophisticated handset on the market, the fantastic screen, impressive battery life and ease of use make it an absolute bargain.