Nokia India launches Next Generation Nokia Asha Smartphones

Nokia further strengthens its Asha portfolio

Launches next generation of Nokia Asha smartphones - Asha 502, Asha 500 & Asha 503

Features unique “crystal dear" design combined with smarter imaging and a more social Fastlane

Hyderabad, India - 24th December - Nokia today unveiled the next generation of Nokia Asha smartphones in India with the launch of the new Nokia Asha 502. The range will soon be extended with two new smartphones set to be launched over the next month - Asha 500 and Asha 503. Building on the success of the Nokia Asha 501, the new Asha smartphones continue to push the boundaries of affordable smartphone innovation with a unique layered design with “crystal clear” effect, smarter imaging with one-swipe access to camera and one- touch photo sharing as well as a more social and personalised Fastlane.

The new Nokia Asha 502 launched today comes with a five megapixel camera with LED flash, a pioneering accomplishment for a phone at its price range. As part of an exclusive operator offer, Asha 502 users on Idea networks can avail Free 2G internet service of upto 500MB per month for 2 months.

“After the overwhelming response received by Nokia Asha 501 in the Indian market, we are now expanding the Asha family with a trio of smartphones that offer consumers a range of smartphone capabilities and price points to suit a variety of needs.” said Sari Harju, Director - Mobile Phones, Nokia India. “With the market for affordable smartphones making headway in the country, these new devices are set to place smartphone technology within reach of millions of consumers.”
The new Nokia Asha 500 will launched later in December and is set to be the lowest priced affordable smartphone to offer WhatsApp. Nokia will also be unveiling a special offer for Nokia Asha 500 users on TATA Docomo networks. Customers can avail free WhatsApp for three months, following which the service would be available to them for a nominal price of INR 17 for 30 days, for 9 months post the free offer period.

The Nokia Asha 503, to be launched in early January, will be equipped with a 5MP camera with flash and will offer the first 3.5G HSPA on the new Asha software platform and is the first Asha device to feature a scratch- resistant, curved Gorilla® Glass screen.

Outstanding design and quality at affordable prices

All three devices offer a unique design with a layered “crystal clear” effect: bold, vibrant colour on the inside, ice-cool transparency on the outside. The resulting effect is striking as well as durable, while the craftsmanship and attention to detail surpass those of competitive handsets. The beautiful handset design is matched by an improved user interface, including enhancements to ‘swipe* and Fastlane.

Smarter imaging experience: one swipe to capture, one touch to share

The new Asha Platform has enhanced the swipe navigation to make imaging more accessible, social and fun. Just one swipe up from the lock screen accesses the 5MP camera with flash* on the Asha 502 and Asha 503. Once the camera is activated, one touch captures the image and another shares it to Facebook or Twitter. This faster and more accessible imaging experience ensures that users never miss a moment. Built-in filters allow photo enthusiasts to customize their image before sharing. New-toAsha-Platform apps including Camera 5-in-1, Instagraph and PicFeed will also be available to tag photos and apply special effects, with access to Instagram available through Instagraph and PicFeed

•The Nokia Asha 500 has a 2MP camera

An even more social Asha with live updates and WhatsApp

Fastlane is the unique, second screen that acts as a shortcut to the phone's recently accessed apps, features and content, as well as future activity, such as calendar appointments. It's the fastest way to access an app in its last state, as well as being the social hub of the new Nokia Asha series Deeper integration with social networks now enables live updates, which alert people to new activity through notifications on Fastlane. By clicking on the Fastlane item with new notifications, people will be directed to the relevant post, so they never miss an important update Fastlane can be further personalised and made more private by selecting what content can appear on-screen, and by deleting unwanted Fastlane items, on the go.
For the first time, WhatsApp has also been made available to Asha Platform devices, starting with the Nokia Asha 501 recently. Support will now be available for all three new devices - 502, 503 and 500. WhatsApp joins other popular chat and messaging apps already available for Asha Platform devices, such as WeChat, Line, eBuddy and Nimbuzz. Thousands more free apps, games and content items are available on Nokia Store.

"We’ve enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Nokia and are proud to feature WhatsApp on the new Asha devices, starting with the Nokia Asha 501 and new Nokia Asha 502,” said Jan Koum, CEO and co¬founder, WhatsApp. “WhatsApp and Nokia share a common aim of connecting ‘the next billion’ and as we’ve seen arcoss the globe, Nokia and WhatsApp combined, give people a powerful tool to connect with the wider world."

Nokia Music will now also be available on the new Nokia Asha range. All 3 devices will support 3 months of free music service.

Notes to Editor

Additional product information for Nokia Asha 502
• Display: 3” QVGA screen
• Weight: 100g (including battery)
• Standby time: upto 24 days
• Network: 2G
• Camera: 5MP camera with flash
• Other: Bluetooth 3.0 with SLAM
• Dual SIM
• Suggested retail price: INR 5,969/- before local taxes and subsidies
• Available colours: bright red, yellow, white and black
Additional product information for Nokia Asha 503
• Display: 3” scratch-resistant curved Gorilla glass screen
• Weight: 110.2g
• Standby time, single SIM: up to 35 days
• Standby time, Dual SIM: up to 20 days