Nokia Asha 501, Asha platform reinvent affordable smartphone line

MANILA, Philippines - Nokia has unveiled the first of a new family of Asha smartphones with the introduction of the Nokia Asha 501.

The handset pushes the boundaries of affordable smartphone design with bold color, a high-quality build and an innovative user interface.

The Nokia Asha 501 is the first device to run on the new Asha platform, which is designed to make the experience faster and more responsive.

The Asha platform also helps developers create, publish and make more money from apps made specifically for the new generation of Asha devices.

Standout design, innovative user interface

The Nokia Asha 501 makes high-end design and quality accessible to more people. The device is available in a choice of six striking colors that complement the elegant design.

It comes in just two parts: a durable, removable casing and the scratch-resistant glass display, which features a three-inch, capacitive touch screen and a single “back” button. It weighs only 98 grams for the ultimate portability. 

The Nokia Asha 501 is built to make it easier for people to access everything they love, with a simple swipe and a choice of two main screens: Home and Fastlane.

Home is a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps or accessing a specific feature, like the dialler or phone settings.

The new Fastlane view was inspired by how people really use their phone. Recently accessed contacts, social networks and apps, unique to each person, are stored and presented in Fastlane.

It provides a record of how the phone is used, giving people a glimpse of their past, present and future activities, and helping them multi-task by providing easy access to their favorite features.

Smarter, more personal Internet experiences

The new Asha comes with Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded, which compresses Internet data by up to 90 percent. This is aimed at making mobile browsing faster and more affordable.

Nokia also announced the availability of Nokia Xpress Now, a new Web application that recommends content based on location, preferences and trending topics. It will be available via the Browser homepage or as a download from Nokia Store.

“Nokia has surpassed expectations of what’s achievable in the sub-$100 phone category with a new Asha handset that is unlike any other, with design cues from Lumia and a mix of features, services and affordability that is valued by price-conscious buyers,” said Neil Mawston, executive director for global wireless practice of Strategy Analytics.

“This is a welcome addition to the market and a refreshing option for consumers looking to upgrade from feature phones,” Mawston added.

Asha platform for next-generation family of devices

The new Nokia Asha 501 was purposely built to give people the best possible mobile experiences at an affordable price. It is highly efficient, with an industry-leading standby time of up to 48 days.

The Nokia Asha 501 is the first smartphone built on the new Asha platform, which leverages Nokia’s investments in Smarterphone, a company which Nokia acquired in 2012.

The new Asha platform provides developers with an open, standards-based environment for creating quality apps for consumers. Developers can create apps for the Nokia Asha 501 that will be compatible with future Asha platform-based devices.

Nokia gives developers the chance to make more money through the global reach of Nokia Store and tools like Nokia In-App Payment and Nokia Advertising Exchange (NAX), as well as Nokia’s unparalleled operator billing network.

Many of the most popular applications are available or in development for the Nokia Asha platform, including CNN, eBuddy, ESPN, Facebook, Foursquare, Line, LinkedIn, Nimbuzz, Pictelligent, The Weather Channel, Twitter, WeChat, World of Red Bull and games from Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Indiagames, NamcoBandai and Reliance Games. WhatsApp and other key partners continue to explore the new Asha platform.

The HERE experience, based on Nokia’s leading location-based platform, will also be available as a download for the Nokia Asha 501, starting in third quarter and will initially include basic mapping services.

“The new Nokia Asha 501 raises the bar for what is possible in affordable smartphone design and optimization,” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president for mobile phones of Nokia. “The synergy between the physical design and the engine that is the new Asha platform has created a smartphone with both style and substance at a great price.” 

Facebook, global operators to support Nokia Asha 501 with free data plans

The Nokia Asha 501 is expected to start shipping in June. It is expected to be available through approximately 60 operators and distributors in more than 90 countries worldwide.

“We are very happy to offer the new Nokia Asha 501 through our subsidiaries in the continent. We are certain that this innovative device will follow the successful footprint of the Nokia Asha family, combining affordability with the best communication and Internet browsing capabilities,” said Marco Quatorze, director for value added services of America Movil.

A leading operator in the Asia-Pacific region, Telkomsel is also supporting the arrival of the new Nokia Asha. “The Nokia Asha 501 will help us to boost the mobile Internet in Indonesia. It is powered by innovations like the Nokia Xpress Browser, based on a very efficient data compression technology which allows us to offer the best data plan tariff for people,” said Alistair Johnston, chief marketing officer of Telkomsel.

“We have a billing agreement with Nokia that supports the creation of local applications that are absolutely relevant to Indonesian consumers,” Johnston added. 

The popularity of the Nokia Asha family has also prompted innovative approaches to bundled mobile services. Nokia, Facebook and mobile network operator Airtel announced they have joined forces to offer data-free access to the standalone Facebook app, as well as the mobile site m.facebook.com.

By the end of the second quarter, current Airtel subscribers in Africa and India will be able to enjoy unlimited, data-free access to Facebook from their Nokia Asha 501 for a limited period of time.

Product specifications, availability

The Nokia Asha 501is available in single or EasySwap dual SIM models. All come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Other specifications:

• Dimensions:  99.2 x 58 x 12.1 mm; 98 grams;

• Camera: 3.2 MP;

• Single SIM standby time: Up to 48 days;

• Dual SIM standby time: Up to 26 days;

• Talk time: Up to 17 hours;

• Additional memory of 4GB (card included in box), expandable up to 32GB;

• Forty free EA Games worth €75 downloadable from Nokia Store;

• Available colors: Bright red, bright green, cyan, yellow, white, and black; and

• Suggested pricing is $99 before taxes and subsidies.