Nokia Asha 501 first impressions, unboxing

Packing Nokia‘s new OS, the Asha platform and an affordable price tag, the Nokia Asha 501 makes its way to the local market. It packs a 3-inch QVGA display, a 3.15MP camera, dual SIM capabilities and a lot more.

We have an unboxing video for you right here if you want to see what comes with the package:

The first thing you’ll notice is how small the device actually is, not to mention its appeal (or for the lack of a better term — cuteness).

Nokia Asha 501 hands on

Out of the box, you immediately see with the display, the earpiece and the single back button. On the right side, you’ll find the power button and the volume rocker, while on top you’ll find a charging port for Nokia’s own cable, a micro USB port and the 3.5mm audio jack. Nothing else is found on the remaining sides of the phone.

Nokia Asha 501 sides

Turning the device around, we are confronted with the removable back cover that paints the device with color, which in our case, is yellow. There is the camera on the top part and below that is the Nokia logo.

Nokia Asha 501 back

When we first booted up the device, a tutorial came up as expected. After a few minutes of hands-on, we’re glad to say Asha is very exciting. Having used the Firefox phone, and being a fan of MeeGo & Symbian’s design – Nokia’s new platform opens a lot of doors for the company.

For now, the Nokia Asha 501 seems like a very great deal for a budget phone and we’re pretty sure that there is a lot of potential for an OS and device of this caliber.

Nokia Asha 501

Nokia Asha 501 specifications:
Dual-SIM, Dual standby
3-inch 256K-color QVGA TFT capacitive touchscreen, @ 240×320 pixels, 133ppi
Scratch-resistant glass
128MB internal storage, 64MB of RAM
Expandable up to 32GB via microSD
3.15 MP fixed-focus camera
QVGA (240 x 320) video recording at 15fps
GPRS/EDGE
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 3.0 with EDR
FM radio tuner
Li-Ion 1,200mAh battery
Asha platform 1.0
Dimensions: 99.2 x 58 x 12.1 mm,
Weight: 98.2 g

The Nokia Asha 501 is now available locally for Php4,490USD 77INR 6,486EUR 73CNY 557. We have a full review coming up soon, so stay tuned.

Bob Freking

Bob Freking occasionally contributes articles to the website. He is a UST Graduate of Commerce & Business Administration, Major in Marketing Management, and a full-time Sith Lord with three dragons.

29 Comments

Nokia User says:

11 years ago

Pag binili ba yan may kasama nang micro USD? Tumingin ako sa Market Market, 4,300 lang with micro USD na.. i’m planning to buy one of these! :))
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Enrico says:

11 years ago

This feels like care-free Nokia the way they used to be years ago, when they can afford to out phones with innovative and sometimes just weird form factor. However for the said price — one can get a phone with far higher specs. This for one is an expensive secondary phone. Nice try Nokia, but no.
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Kyle says:

11 years ago

Hey Bob! If you’re planning to do a full review of the phone, can you please specify/compare how easy it is to txt in qwerty mode? Thanks!!!!
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red says:

11 years ago

hows the qwerty keyboard? may T-9 ba sya? yung old school? i will definitely buy this one for my mother. pero sana hindi xa qwerty sa messaging nya.
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Pao says:

11 years ago

Please make a review about the qwerty keyboard. Thanks :)
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Pj Leano says:

11 years ago

Pakitignan naman po kung merong numerical o pattern lock. Thanks!
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booop says:

11 years ago

I think it would be a good phone for those carefree days, like when you go hiking or something =)) or when you ride uncomfortable jeepney rides deep in the darkness of Manila =))…or not. idk.
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Jeremiah says:

11 years ago

mayroon ba tong free ea games ?
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snuffle says:

11 years ago

ang haba ng kuko. LOL.
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kim says:

11 years ago

bibili na ako nito next week 4k nga pero sulit nmn txt call internet lng nmn need ko d2 tsaka cute and durable for sure hndi pa nakakahiya pkita kasi nokia brand d ktulad ng iba android nga anu brand ?? ung ukay ukay hndi nmn PSP ung phone nyu wanna be lng ata buti kung ung high end yan Android lagg kakalabsan dyan :)
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John Pallan says:

11 years ago

may nagpacut ng sim card samin ang phone niya is Asha 501, una kung tinesting talaga is yong qwerty keypad niya..

Masasabi ko na OK magtype sa QWERTY keypad…konti lang mali nong nagtatype, at kahit mabilis ka magtype makakahabol parin sayo yong pagpindot mo. iCompare ko ang pagtype sa Cherry Mobile Flare, mas komportable ako sa Asha 501…

Sa Overall performance OK naman siya, may noticeable na lag pero hindi masyado matagal, mga 0.5 second lang ang lag, nakita ko lang yong lag pag punta sa settings, tapos sa browser din. Sa browser ma lag talaga. Pero ok na rin pang browse browse lang. Gamit ka nalang ng opera mini para wala masyado lag pag nagbabrowse :) …Apps lang talaga ang kulang. Pero kung no big deal ang apps sayo recommended to have one. Gusto ko na nga palitan ang MyPhone A818 ko eh. Palitan ko na nitong Asha 501…Nasasawa na ako sa android :)
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dakilangduca says:

11 years ago

Nokia is Nokia. Nothing can be that.
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anon666 says:

11 years ago

mga boss working ba line, wechat, dito?
- Reply
gener says:

11 years ago

Ganda ah
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mash says:

11 years ago

makakaDL ba yan ng chrome? or pwede ba syang maDLan ng kahit anong apps like ym, skype, viber, fb etc.?
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Zap.xD says:

11 years ago

I have Nokia ASHA 501 .
I bought it from nokia store @ SMNorth (08,08,13)the price is 5040PHP.

I think that was so expensive.. O.o

ANG GANDA DIN NG FEATURES NYA.
NA AMAZE AKO SA SIZE.
KASYANG KASYA SA POCKET KO. :)
KASO NGA LNG , MICRO SIM ANG GAMIT.
WAAAAAA

GINAWAN KO NLNG NG PARAAN.
KINUT KO UNG SIMCARD KO .
PARA MAG KASYA SYA SA SIMCARD SLOT .:D
HAHA.
- Reply