Mobile-Review reviews the Motorola C261 and writes, “Motorola C261 is a sign model, as for the first time the principle of “three meters” is used in a low-end phone. This Motorola’s principle can be shortly described as phone’s recognizability in a user’s hands in a distance of three meters. We can easily assign this feature to a high-end model, like Motorola RAZR. Later the company created models for other segments as well following this principle. And SLVR, L2, and L6 are much different from other models on the market. However till today we couldn’t say the principle was used for low-end models, Motorola C115/C116 do even pretend on unique design. The low-end segment has the main problem of artificially worsened material quality to make the appearance plainer, and make a high demanding user chose a more expensive handset. The margin of low-end models is low, and thus giving expensive material to them is unprofitable, as well as making them rememberable and attractive. And this very model is a turning point: The market saturation made the company offer an unordinary solution and change the appearance of a low-end phone, as well as its functional saturation. It’s not hard to guess Motorola C261 will become the same product like the C350 was in its time, other makers will orient on it and try to represent own similar models.”

“The handset comes in two versions - the C261 for Europe includes a VGA camera and GSM 900/1800MHz connectivity, and the C257 for the Americas, which drops the camera and has GSM 850/1900MHz connectivity. Both handsets sport the same design, though the C257 gets silver trim, and the C261 is available in a red version. MMS/SMS/EMS messaging is supported, and speakerphone functionality is included, though other features such as Bluetooth are dropped to maintain the low price-point.” (via MobileBurn)