The Skypephone had one key USP – the ability to make free Skype calls when out and about. It didn’t matter – the low-end features and low price to attract youngsters resulted in mixed reviews, and the launch of Apple’s drop-dead gorgeous iPhone left the Skypephone forlorn and forgotten.

Following an update to the iPhone, 3 remains undaunted, and still seems to think the combination of free Skype calls and budget handset is a winning formula. Enter the S2 Skypephone, a 3G handset available for free on contract.

The latest model is similar in size and shape to the previous incarnation. However, you’ll find a fairly comprehensive makeover from the dull-as-ditchwater styling on the old model, with the conservative black or white plastics replaced by a stylish gloss finish.

Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, but we at Absolute Gadget are fans of the glitzier styling, and the polished aluminium battery cover also adds a premium feel. That said, the highly reflective finish is a magnet for grubby fingerprints, and we spent an unhealthy amount of time polishing the casing.

The buttons have changed for the better – they still occupy the same amount of space on this candybar-style phone, but are arranged as thin strips instead of larger buttons that overlap. As such, it’s easier to hit the one you want without fear of mistakes. Those with the largest of digits may still find it a little fiddly, however.

The 2.2-inch display features a standard resolution of 240 x 320 pixels – up from the 176 x 220 pixels found on the first-gen 2-inch screen. We found it crisp and bright, and it’s ideal for messaging and using the bundled applications.

(Continued on next page)