Nokia Asha 501- Budget Smartphone at 99$

This feisty firecracker from Nokia is set to re-define the budget smartphone market and expectation. Here are top 10 reasons why

Nokia Asha 501 has created nothing short of a stir in the budget smartphone market in India. Priced at a mere Rs 5,300 the smartphone boasts of the same colorful vibrancy seen in the high-end Lumia range, the familiar functionality of the N9 with impressive features and add-ons like updated version of the Nokia Xpress browser, free Facebook, 40 free EA games, incredible battery life of 48 days in standby and 17 hours of talk time and much more.

1. Design

One of the key features that strikes you first about a smartphone is its built quality. Getting attractive built for a budget phone can be tricky, but Nokia with Asha 501 pulls it through - and quite well we must add. The device boasts of high-end design and quality and comes in two parts: a durable, removable casing and the scratch-resistant glass display, which features a 3-inch, capacitive touchscreen and a single 'back' button. Weighing just 98 grams, Asha 501 brings the ultimate portability, you can possibly imagine. To top it on, the device is available in a rainbow of rich colors including - yellow, cyan, green, blue, red and white to complement the ergonomic design. Did we mention the cool red headphones in the box!

2. Nokia Asha platform

The latest Asha platform is quite revolutionary as it is not only faster, more responsive but also very flexible. This gives it adequate space to add new features and functionalities with future updates. Also popular applications are already 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, Namco-Bandai and Reliance Games.

3. Micro-SIM

The Asha 501 is the first Nokia device at this price to feature a micro-SIM. In addition its also comes in a single-SIM variant and a Dual-SIM version with Nokia’s unique Easy-Swap SIM technology, which allows people to switch SIM cards without having to power off the device.

4. User Experience

The latest Asha offering brings easy access to consumers via Home and Fastlane. The first 'Home' screen, is the traditional icon-based view used for launching apps and accessing phone settings or others. The twist comes with the addition of the new 'Fastlane'. A update on your past, present and future, the 'Fastlane', is a record keeper of how the phone is used and also helps you multi-task by providing easy access to favorite features. Another feature which we like is the ease with which you can close a app - a simple swipe. yup that's it.

5. Nokia Xpress Now

The Nokia Asha 501 comes preloaded with Nokia Xpress Browser which basically compresses Internet data by up to 90% making mobile browsing faster and more affordable. The company has also announced the availability of Nokia Xpress Now, a updated version of the Nokia Xpress browser which brings content based on location, preferences and trending topics while taking care of affordability that is valued by price-conscious buyers.

6. Battery

The Asha 501 boasts of a standby time of up to 48 days, 17 hours of talk time and 56 hours of music playback  - which is best in the industry and quite spectacular for a $99 priced device.

-Single SIM standby time: up to 48 days
- Dual SIM standby time: up to 26 days

7. Free Facebook

Free Facebook - it doesn't get any better for the social networking addicts! Now you can enjoy the experience for longer without worrying about data charges.

Airtel will offer data-free access to the standalone Facebook app, as well as the mobile site m.facebook.com. By the end of second quarter, current Airtel subscribers will be able to enjoy unlimited, data-free access to Facebook from their Nokia Asha 501 for a limited period of time.

8. HERE experience

Based on Nokia's leading location-based platform, the HERE experience will also be available on Nokia Asha 501. Starting in third quarter, it will include basic mapping services in the beginning and graduate to including other services.

9. EA Games

For the gaming lovers, the device bundles up forty free EA Games which are downloadable from Nokia Store.

10. Price

Priced at Rs 5300, the Nokia Asha 501 truly stretches the definition of what a budget phone is and raises the bar for what is possible in affordable smartphone.