Nokia is the largest mobile phone and smartphone maker in the world, despite the fact that other players like Apple, RIM, and Google hog all the glory in the smartphone arena. Nokia has announced the launch of its latest mobile device called the X3 Touch and Type.

The big feature of the X3 is that it combines the traditional 12-button keypad common on many phones with a touchscreen. That little touchscreen is a 2.4-inch unit and users can use the screen for games and other productivity apps while still having a keypad.

Nokia's Mary Mcdowell said, "Our research tells us consumers who have invested years in becoming fast one-handed, one-thumb texters want to maintain their speedy edge for SMS, chat and instant messaging – yet enjoy the benefits of touch as well."

The X3 is a thin device measuring in at 9.6mm x 106mm x 48mm and weighing in at 78g. The phone has a brushed aluminum exterior and will be offered in five different colors. The X3 also supports four voice bands, 3G HSPA, and has Wi-Fi connectivity. Other features include a music player, FM tuner, and a camera that shoots still shots and video. The resolution of that camera is 5-megapixels, much less than the N8's 12-megapixel resolution.

Nokia has set the X3 up to cater to the social networking fan and to those who like to keep in touch with all manner of messaging options. There are apps loaded for Twitter and Facebook and the phone can connect to the Ovi Store to download other apps. There are keys on the phone dedicated to the music player and messaging. Storage for music and other data is done to a microSD card of up to 16GB.

Nokia will bundle the phone with Ovi Music Unlimited in select markets. The phone will cost €125 ($160 USD) not counting any taxes and subsidies offered by carriers. The initial launch markets for the X3 will include China, Ireland & UK, Russia, Australia & New Zealand, Singapore, Germany, Spain & Portugal, France, Mexico and Saudi & Yemen.

Nokia will launch the X3 in other countries later.