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Nokia Asha 503
Nokia Asha 503
Nokia Asha 503
Nokia Asha 503
Nokia Asha 503
Nokia Asha 503
Nokia Asha 503
...


3.7/10
Informr score
The Nokia Asha 503 currently has an Informr score of 3.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 4 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Budget price
  • Colorful and durable design
  • Easy to use swipe navigation

What's bad

  • Very poor quality display and viewing angles
  • Sluggish and juddery performance
  • Lack of available apps

Nokia's Asha range is targeted directly towards the budget-minded consumer and the Asha 503 is no exception. Like most Nokia phones, the 503 offers a range of colors for the handset from plain black to bright green. Reviewers note that the clear Perspex back makes the device a bit thicker but also sturdier than the average smartphone. The back is also removable, giving access to the SIM card slot, batter and expandable microSD slot.

The phone itself is fairly small measuring in at 4x2.4 inches and weighing only 110 grams. Due to its small size, the device only has a small 3-inch capacitive LCD display protected by Gorilla Glass. Sadly, the display falls short of impressing reviewers as it has a very low resolution of 240x320 pixels and supports only 262 thousand colors, not the 16 million available in most smartphones. According to experts, these shortcomings led to poor color accuracy, color transition and image pixelization. Viewing angles were also very poor with Phone Arena noting images were almost completely washed out at extreme angles.

Inside the phone is a 1GHz single-core processor, 128MB of RAM, 170MB of internal storage and a 1,200 mAh battery. Due to the poor specs, critics experienced slow down when opening apps and images and "juddery" transitions between pages.

Reviewers were also unimpressed with the phones battery life. Despite not offering high-end specs or an HD screen, the battery only lasted around 4.5 hours of talk time during experts' tests. When testing the battery on 3G and WiFi, S21 noticed the batteries drained even faster noting, "you'll be charging every night."

Unlike smartphones, the Asha 503 uses its own software platform – the Asha OS. Reviewers found the swipe navigation to be convenient, though they did notice that swipes often registered as taps. Of course, the proprietary software also means that the app store has a very limited library. While critics did find the more big name apps like WhatsApp, they noticed that they were very basic and barely recognizable from the full-fledged apps available on Android or iOS phones.

Despite its budget price most reviewers recommend a budget Android handset than the Asha 503. TechRadar says that, for the price, "it's hard to complain about the problems…but I'd recommend spending a little extra cash on a Moto G or Lumia 520." ITProPortal adds, "You can use it for voice calls and for SMS…so it might have a place as a phone for very young children or as a standby handset."


Custom
Operating system
Operating system
Custom
Unknown
Processor
Processor
Unknown
3"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1200 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Recombu
Recombu

The Nokia Asha 503 is a budget phone with a low resolution screen, a middling camera and a lacklustre browser. While the design both inside and out is eye-catching, it’s not enough to justify the price. When you consider that you can pick up a Nokia Lumia 520 - a far superior phone - for the s...

- Thomas Newton, Recombu
GSMArena
GSMArena

The Nokia Asha 503 brings a more robust 5MP camera (be it fixed-focus) and 3G to a package we already liked, and that's what we can safely call a good start. Emerging markets are the most likely destination as usual but, yet again, the Asha series look capable of transcending borders. The Asha 501 l...

- GSMArena Team, GSMArena
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

We like the colorful design and unique style of the Asha 503, and it has a decent 5-megapixel camera, but there is a huge mismatch between its price and functionality that we simply cannot overlook. A phone of this caliber should cost much less in this day and age. The Asha 503 will appeal to die-ha...

- Victor H., PhoneArena
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

Nokia Asha 503 leaves a lot to be desire, it lacks performance, apps and reliability, but what it does have is affordability. The 502 really is an entry level smartphone that should only be considered if you are desperate to get your hands on a smartphone for as little money as possible – even...

- David Court, Tech Advisor


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nokia Asha 503 user manual here.


Nokia backs up the Asha 503 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Asha 503 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
3"

The Nokia Asha 503's screen size is 3 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
Unknown

There is a processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
64 MB

Internal memory is 64 MB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1200mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1200 mAh battery. Nokia's performance ratings are 35 days standby time, 720 minutes, 240 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Asha 503 Specs

Overview
Release Date November 28, 2013
Regions Available United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare Custom Smartphones

Processor
Internal Storage 64 MB
RAM 128 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.43 W/kg
Body: 0.64 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 3.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, DUN, OPP/FTP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
3x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Self-portrait, Self-timer, White balance, Scene mode
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
QVGA (320 x 240 pixels), 15 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD
Colors 262k
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density 134 pixels
Size 3 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1200 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 702 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 240 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 720 minutes
Standby Time Up to 35 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Yellow, Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, White, Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 10.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 cm (4.1 x 2.4 x 0.5 in)
Weight 110 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, IM
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Contact List Capacity: 4000
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Auto Answer: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, MP4, AAC, AMR-WB, AMR, AMR-NB
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Radio: Yes (FM)
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA):

4 GB microSD Card included
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Nokia Asha 503 Reviews
Where to buy Nokia Asha 503
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