It is used as a normal though bulky mobile phone in closed mode, when it is flipped open it can be used like a very small notebook computer with a 640×200 screen.

The Nokia 9300 PDA phone was a prominent feature in Live Free or Die Hard, used by character Matt Farrell.

Alternatively one can type *#0000# into the phone cover keypad in standby mode to display the model number.

All variants of the 9300 include multi-profile Bluetooth and IR for interoperability, the Opera web browser, a POP3/IMAP/BlackBerry Enterprise Server-compatible/SMS/MMS e-mail and messaging client, the ability to create, read, write and edit native Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

The external display above the twelve-key dial pad on the exterior of the phone runs Series 40 applications, so texting and simple functions can be performed one-handed without opening the clamshell.

A wide selection of third party applications to enhance the 9300 series is available through multiple websites.