Nokia announced three new members of the Asha family at today's Nokia World keynote in Abu Dhabi - The Nokia Asha 500, Nokia Asha 502 and Nokia Asha 503. The new Asha phones come in a wide variety of vibrant colors, but that's not all they have to stand out with visually. They feature something called a crystal-clear design, with a bright, colorful body covered by a transparent layer.
The new Asha Series like its predecessors are not meant to wow you with their specifications. They are entry level devices aimed at emerging markets and don't claim to be otherwise. The Nokia Asha 500 comes with a 2.8-inch 240x320 pixel touchscreen, a 2MP camera, and the option to have the handset in either single- or dual-SIM flavor. The slightly superior Nokia Asha 502 offers a 3-inch touchscreen, and a better, 5-megapixel camera with LED flash. Again, the phone supports dual-SIM functionality, which is a feature often demanded by the consumers Asha phones are targeted at.
The Asha series has a new flagship in the form of the Nokia Asha 503 which features a 3-inch 240x320 pixel touchscreen protected by Gorilla Glass 2 and a 5MP camera with LED flash. Interestingly, this is the first 3G-capable phone in the Asha series. Expect seeing it in both single- and dual-SIM configurations.
The Asha devices are based on the same Asha platform which was demonstrated on the Nokia Asha 501. It offers both a traditional icon-oriented home screen and a secondary list, called Fastlane, where frequently used features are organized. This allows users to instantly access their favorite apps and social networks.
The WhatsApp application will also be headed to the Asha platform in the coming weeks, bringing all the the features its current users know and love.
The Nokia Asha 500 will be released in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, priced at about $69 before taxes. The slightly more expensive Nokia Asha 502, priced at around $89 unsubsidized, will launch in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East. Last but not least the Nokia Lumia 503, expect it to carry a price tag of roughly $99 unlocked will be made available in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.