Review : ZTE F102, UK's Only Sub-£30 3G Phone

ZTE is not a well known brand in the UK but with the F102, it could well become an attractive alternative to other more popular brands such as Nokia, Samsung or LG.

The Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited is a Shenzhen-based, Chinese behemoth that is the world's third largest vendor of GSM gear with sales in more than 140 countries.

Therefore, although it doesn't have the pedigree of say, Siemens or even Huawei, things might soon be changing with a slew of smartphones on the way (ed: oddly, the F102 doesn't feature on its website).

It has to be said though that the F102 only costs £29.99 on PAYG  at 3 Networks (link). down from the original selling price of £39.99), which makes it the cheapest 3G mobile phone in the market by a tenner (the next cheapest is the 3 Skypephone S2).

For the price, it is a rather remarkably well built entry level mobile phone with a candybar format. You can't flex or twist it in any direction. It does feel solid and should be capable of surviving some tough treatment (ed: we haven't tried the "loo test" on it though).

At 106mm tall and 47mm wide, the F102 is truly pocketable and is surprisingly thin at 12mm. This means that unlike the latest smartphones, you can carry it in your front jeans pocket without the fear of any unsightly bulges, especially as it weighs only 80g.