Improved with OS Update, it's a Good Phone. Review on Nokia Asha 501

Update on 20th June 2014 >

I would like to add - After OS new version and update, Phone is a notch up now, in performance. Also, observed excellent compression in Nokia Browser, it helps while you are on Mobile Data mode. Good in WiFi, Bluetooth seamless connectivity.

Whatsapp is available after update and is working excellently. Most of the glitches are cleared and the phone is apt for entry level smartphone users.

Go ahead and buy. You are not going to be disappointed.

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• Original review -

I wanted to write a review, than a preview without any usage experience. Hence I waited for 1 month to write this review with all my experiences with this phone.

I purchased it from Reliance Digital stores(RDS), though RDS recommended Samsung Galaxy star, which is in the same range. His recommendation is based on fact that Asha is not Android phone and hence very limited apps, without Whatsapp. I felt if that is the only constraint, I can manage as I am not a big app crazy nor a gamer. So, I voted for 501 I rely more on Nokia brand.

501 comes with a 1Ghz processor, 64MB Ram, s40 OS but renamed as Asha 1.0, 3" touchscreen, 1200mAh battery, 3MP camera with 2x digital zoom, red colored headset, Adapter(which doesn't fit in normal 3-way plugs in INDIA.) I wonder if this phone is made in Chennai or Somewhere?. NO Data cable provided either.

My one month experience with 501 is as follows:

1. One striking feature is'fast lane' where in you can track your previous, today's activities. However it may sometimes prove privacy hazard as well.

   
   




2. It has nice looks as that of a entry level smart phone. screen size is apt at 3" and the touch is mostly receptive except in the corners which is lil tough.

   
   




3. Battery life is OK(1200 mAh) with recharge every alternative day with moderate use on videos, Nokia games, few calls and messages.

   
   




4. Dual Micro sim but not dual active. ie., one sim will be offline, while you browse with other Sim.

   
   

Low on ram at 64MB but provided with a 4 GB micro card with pre-loaded Apps like Ninja run, ICCT2013, weather, FB, Twitter etc. I found FB app too lagging to load.

1. Nokia express browser is definitely one up in browsing than its previous Ashas.

   
   




2. Mobile os dont have good file document reader( docs, excel, ppt) need good apps as soon as possible. Diyum's'Mypocket doc' etc are just waste. They didnt load any docx, xlsx, ppt files.

   
   




3. Touchscreen is bright and is ok under sunlight, but too easy to get scratches. Within a month, my screen got spoilt.

   
   




4. Most of the games provided, needs data connection and hence reminds me of some old Java apps. Nokia needs a lot of work to do in this regard.

   
   




5. Messages: while keying in the message, backspace is non receptive. Literally to press hard at times.

   
   




6. Contacts: Search option is almost hidden by default, we have to swipe down hard to locate it.

   
   




7. Video playing is good, as expected from a budget smartphone but better than Galaxy Star.

   
   




8. Camera quality is ok but again much better than any galaxy phone under 8 k (as expected from Nokia or a Sony).

   
   




9. Nowhere in the phone, we know its processor, RAM. is it deliberate?

   
   




10. No Profiles, you have only silent or flight mode.

    
    




11. Cannot add your own wallpaper for screen but Wallpaper for lock screens can be added.

    
    




12. Back button does not illuminate. But that's OK, we can get used to it.

    
    




13. Screen orientation is only if bent towards left. Still can manage it.

    
    




14. Phone can play videos avi, mp4, 3gp format but not flv or wmv. No equalizer option in music.

    
    




15. Headset sound quality is ok. Wait, the headset color is red even for a Black 501 phone and that sucks.Phone does not take Access point settings automatically but can be configured manually.

    
    




16. You cannot manage the Apps, like you cannot delete those Apps that comes along with Phone pre- installed. I wonder why Nokia did this?

    
    




17. NO FM recording, NO call recording, NO copy paste while browsing.

    
    




18. Multiple keyboards - Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi etc.

    
    




19. Remember while you browse with one Sim, you are practically unavailable to caller on either SIM as it is just'stand by' not'dual Active'

    
    




20. We can't enable Java script in its Browser! It do not have even a basic Units converter also.

    
    




21. It doesn't have GPS. Prox sensor working well but there is a lag observed during a call(while not on hands-free mode).

    
    

Guys, I am forced to buy black color headset at 600/- and a Data-cable at 250/- which sums it 5900/- overall price for Asha 501.

Thus, I felt lil let down by Nokia in its first version. Its like Tata Nano, though not that bad. Hope they take my feedback positively, and improve this Phone. But I am skeptic on this, as Nokia is now a sold out brand to Microsoft which is hell bent on promoting its own Windows based Lumias. So may be it is just going to be Asha 501.RIP.

Please share your experience and also feed me back with your observations.