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The trend towards ever-smaller mobile phones that cram in increasing amounts of features may please gadget fans, but it’s bad news for those who just want a mobile to make calls with the minimum of fuss.

Binatone clearly thinks so too, which is perhaps why it’s launched a couple of new mobile phones that are specifically designed to be easy to use above all else.

The new Speakeasy 300 GSM and 600 GSM are both part of Binatone’s Big Button range and, as you can see from the photos, are characterised by buttons that are, well, big.

Although both models are dual-band GSM, the Speakeasy 300 GSM is the more basic of the two (read “easiest to use”). It costs £60 and is described as having a loud ringer and strong vibration alert — hopefully it’s stronger than the mere tickle that most mobile phones make when carried in a pocket.

The 600 GSM costs £80 and has a 2.2” colour screen with a sliding design that means you don’t need to worry about how to lock the keypad. It also has Bluetooth and a 1.3-megapixel camera for people who are prepared to fiddle with certain phone features, but we remain unconvinced about the need for an FM tuner and ‘torch’ on a supposedly simple mobile phone…

Both the Binatone Speakeasy 300 GSM and Speakeasy 600 GSM are available from Argos — look out for a review soon.