Nokia’s latest Asha range devices have finally arrived here in Kenya, the Asha 500, 502 and 503 we announced earlier that features a unique design, a more social user interface but with an affordable price tag have been made official locally. Although the series latest entrants were released a few months back, Nokia had not officially availed them locally with recommended pricing. We now have the full details including pricing of the trio in the Kenyan market. The Nokia Asha 503 is the first 3.5G model in the new generation of Asha Platform smartphones, and pushes the boundaries of affordable smartphone innovation, with a unique layered design and a scratch-resistant, curved Gorilla® Glass screen – the first in the Asha series.
With a five megapixel camera and LED flash, the Nokia Asha 503 provides a smarter imaging experience through ‘swipe’ and one-touch social sharing, and features the Fastlane home screen, now more deeply integrated with social networks. The Nokia Asha 503 has a recommended retail price (RRP) is KES 10,500. Joining the Asha 503 is the dual SIM only Nokia Asha 502 at an RRP of KES 9,700, and the most affordable device in the range, the Nokia Asha 500 at an RRP of KES 7,600. All the new devices are built with the Nokia hallmarks of manufacturing quality and outstanding battery life.
“We have expanded the Asha family with a trio of smartphones that offer consumers a choice of phone that suits their budget, each with stunning design, great social apps, and new imaging experiences,” said Bruce Howe, Nokia in East Africa General Manager. “The new Nokia Asha range will place smartphone technology within reach of millions of consumers.”
The Nokia Asha 502 and 503 will be available in Kenya as Easy Swap dual SIM variants. Easy Swap Dual SIM is unique-to-Nokia innovation that allows people to switch between SIM cards on the go, to get better tariffs or alternate between SIM cards for SMS, voice and data, without having to turn off the device. The Asha 503 will also be available as a single SIM device. The range features a new unique innovation known as layered design, achieved using the ‘dual shot’ technique which is unique to Nokia. It combines an inner layer of bold, bright colour surrounded by crystal-clear transparency. The combination adds a distinctive look to the phone’s monobody design, as well as durability. The high-end design is a clear differentiator, as are the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The Nokia Asha 503, along with the Nokia Asha 502, are the first Asha Platform devices with a built-in five megapixel camera with LED flash and features a full-touch display and fully redesigned user interface. Swipe is the main gesture for navigating the phone – whether answering a call, viewing notifications or closing an app. Swipe also activates the built-in camera: just swipe up from the lock screen to start the camera and touch anywhere on-screen to take a photo. The camera experience is also more social, with the option to post an image to Facebook or Twitter with just one touch.
Fastlane is the unique, second screen that acts as a shortcut to the phone’s recently accessed apps, features and content, as well as future activity, such as calendar appointments. It’s the fastest way to access an app in its last state, as well as being the social hub of the Nokia Asha range. Deeper integration with social networks now enables live updates, which alert people to new activity through notifications on Fastlane. By clicking on the Fastlane item with new notifications, people will be directed to the relevant post, so they never miss an important update. Fastlane can be further personalized and made more private by selecting what content can appear on-screen, and by deleting unwanted Fastlane items, on the go. For the first time, WhatsApp will also be available to Asha Platform devices. WhatsApp joins other popular chat and messaging apps already available for Asha Platform devices, such as WeChat, Line, eBuddy and Nimbuzz. Thousands more free apps, games and content items are available on Nokia Store.