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Nokia Asha 305 and Nokia Asha 306.
Expected Q2/Q3 2012.
Two closely related and very low cost touchscreen phones, the Nokia Asha 305 and Nokia Asha
306 are aimed at emerging markets and consumers on a budget.
The differences between the Asha 305 and 306 models are slight. The Nokia Asha 305 is a
dual-SIM handset with a hot-swap capability that allows you to change SIM cards without
turning off the phone. The Nokia Asha 306 removes the dual-SIM capabilities and includes
WiFi instead, making this Nokia's cheapest ever WiFi-enabled phone. Neither phone is
3G capable, although the WiFi connectivity on the 306 means that you can access the internet
quickly when connected to a suitable wireless network.
These are Series 40 feature phones rather than smartphones, but you can download new
applications from the Nokia Store including 40 free EA games that you can keep. The Asha
305 and 306 support Facebook, Twitter and come with a media player with an accelerated
web browser designed to minimise download costs and work more quickly on the 2G connection.
On the front is a simple 3.0" 240 x 400 pixel touchscreen. The panel is of the older (and
cheaper) resistive type rather than the easier-to-use capacitive displays that you see on more expensive
devices. The closely related Nokia Asha 311 does have a capacitive screen, but it costs
about 50% more.
On the back is a basic 2 megapixel camera capable of very rudimentary video recording.
There's an FM radio, a microSD slot, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The standard sales package
includes a 2GB memory card and a stereo wired headset.
Inside both handsets is a 1110 mAh BL-4U battery which Nokia claims gives up to 14 hours talktime
and 22 days standby time. The Asha 305 and 306 measure 110 x 54 x 13mm and weigh a little
under 100 grams.
The Nokia 305 should retail for €63 before tax and subsidy, it will be available in silver
white, red, mid blue and dark grey colours and should hit the market during Q2 2012 (which
effectively means by the end of June).
The Nokia 306 is a little more expensive at €68 before tax and subsidy in the same colour
schemes as the 305, and Nokia say that it will be available during Q3 2012. These are
both very good looking handsets for the money, and they certainly look more expensive than
they actually are.