Photos: ViewSonic V350

Smartphones with dual SIM support are rare beasts, but ViewSonic is offering such a creature in the shape of the Android-based V350. The advantage of dual SIM support is that you can use the same handset for work and leisure without having to worry about apportioning costs; alternatively, you can use the second slot for a local SIM when you're travelling.

The ViewSonic V350 costs £245 (inc. VAT).

Photos: ViewSonic

The SIM slots, labelled as 'SIM' and 'SIM2' are located under the V350's backplate, and you'll have to remove the battery to access them.

Switching between SIMs is easy. When making a voice call, you choose one of two call buttons on the dial pad — one for each SIM. In the Settings area you can tell the handset which SIM to use for data, and also make access point settings for both SIMs.

The ViewSonic V350's build quality leaves a little to be desired. The all-plastic chassis doesn't look particularly business-like, although it feels solid enough. This is a shame, as the business market ought to be a key one for this handset.

Specifications are reasonable, but this is by no means a top-end smartphone. The operating system is Android 2.2, the processor a 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227. Flash support is lacking, which rather hampers the V350's use for web browsing. There's just 512MB of both RAM and ROM, although you get a 2GB microSD card to boost internal storage.

The screen measures 3.5in. across the diagonal, and has a resolution of 320 by 480 pixels. This is just about big enough for multimedia use, although we prefer a 4in. screen for serious web browsing.

ViewSonic provides two user interfaces: a standard five-home-screen option and ViewScene 3D, a more media-rich alternative. This starts off with seven home screens (ViewSonic calls them Panels), but you can add more. They can be flicked through in a 3D-style carousel that incorporates a range of animations. Business users may not like it, but you don't have to use it.

ViewSonic adds a few extras to the standard Android 2.2 apps and services including an FM radio, a file browser, a internet radio (Muzee), the Muvee video editor and a notepad. There's also an app store on-board, but our review sample's offering only seemed to support Tiawanese. The Android Market is also present, of course.