Found a new one accidentally which I've not seen anywhere: -

Similar to typing a letter to jump to your contacts, if you enter a number it immediately brings up the phone. So e.g. from the desktop, blue arrow and P brings up the phone interface with a zero ready entered.

Only minor issue then is that the blue arrow is then not needed for the rest of the number so you have to remember to let go of it.

This is the quickest way to add a new contact - if someone gives you their number, you can type the number in, then from the top menu bar select New Contact to enter their name details.