Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Nokia Asha 503 brings a more robust 5MP camera (be it fixed-focus) and 3G to a package we already liked, and that's what we can safely call a good start. Emerging markets are the most likely destination as usual but, yet again, the Asha series look capable of transcending borders. The Asha 501 looked like a good first phone for you kid or a decent second phone that won't break the bank and the 503 is bringing even more value.”
“We like the colorful design and unique style of the Asha 503, and it has a decent 5-megapixel camera, but there is a huge mismatch between its price and functionality that we simply cannot overlook. A phone of this caliber should cost much less in this day and age. The Asha 503 will appeal to die-hard Nokia fans and people who for some reason do not want a smartphone. For all else, there are much better options out there.”
“Nokia Asha 503 leaves a lot to be desire, it lacks performance, apps and reliability, but what it does have is affordability. The 502 really is an entry level smartphone that should only be considered if you are desperate to get your hands on a smartphone for as little money as possible – even then we'd suggest looking at the refurbished 2nd hand market first as using this phone on a day-to-day basis would drive you bananas.”
“The Nokia Asha 503 is a budget phone with a low resolution screen, a middling camera and a lacklustre browser. While the design both inside and out is eye-catching, it’s not enough to justify the price. When you consider that you can pick up a Nokia Lumia 520 - a far superior phone - for the same money (£90-£100), there’s no real argument in the Asha 503’s favour. The Lumia 520 looks great, has a larger screen and is a joy to use - read our review of that phone instead. There’s some decent apps available including HERE Maps, a solid web browser and games that won’t make you want to tear your hair out.The only edge the Asha 503 has over the Lumia 520 is that there’s an LED flash, but if you were that bothered about taking pictures you’d be prepared to shell out for something a little more premium like a Lumia 625 (£160) or a Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 (£180).Any parents thinking of getting this one for their kids, don’t.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Nokia’s Asha range is targeted directly towards the budget-minded consumer and the Asha 503 is no exception. Like most Nokia phones, the 503 offers a range of colors for the handset from plain black to bright green. Reviewers note that the clear Perspex back makes the device a bit thicker but also sturdier than the average smartphone. The back is also removable, giving access to the SIM card slot, batter and expandable microSD slot.
The phone itself is fairly small measuring in at 4×2.4 inches and weighing only 110 grams. Due to its small size, the device only has a small 3-inch capacitive LCD display protected by Gorilla Glass. Sadly, the display falls short of impressing reviewers as it has a very low resolution of 240×320 pixels and supports only 262 thousand colors, not the 16 million available in most smartphones. According to experts, these shortcomings led to poor color accuracy, color transition and image pixelization. Viewing angles were also very poor with Phone Arena noting images were almost completely washed out at extreme angles.
Inside the phone is a 1GHz single-core processor, 128MB of RAM, 170MB of internal storage and a 1,200 mAh battery. Due to the poor specs, critics experienced slow down when opening apps and images and “juddery” transitions between pages.
Reviewers were also unimpressed with the phones battery life. Despite not offering high-end specs or an HD screen, the battery only lasted around 4.5 hours of talk time during experts’ tests. When testing the battery on 3G and WiFi, S21 noticed the batteries drained even faster noting, “you’ll be charging every night.”
Unlike smartphones, the Asha 503 uses its own software platform – the Asha OS. Reviewers found the swipe navigation to be convenient, though they did notice that swipes often registered as taps. Of course, the proprietary software also means that the app store has a very limited library. While critics did find the more big name apps like WhatsApp, they noticed that they were very basic and barely recognizable from the full-fledged apps available on Android or iOS phones.
Despite its budget price most reviewers recommend a budget Android handset than the Asha 503. TechRadar says that, for the price, “it’s hard to complain about the problems…but I’d recommend spending a little extra cash on a Moto G or Lumia 520.” ITProPortal adds, “You can use it for voice calls and for SMS…so it might have a place as a phone for very young children or as a standby handset.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Nokia Asha 503 released?
The Nokia Asha 503 was released on November 28, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Nokia Asha 503?
The Nokia Asha 503 has a 1,200 mAh battery.
Does the Nokia Asha 503 support wireless charging?
No, the Nokia Asha 503 does not support wireless charging.
Does the Nokia Asha 503 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Nokia Asha 503 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Nokia Asha 503 have NFC?
No, the Nokia Asha 503 does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I download the Nokia Asha 503 manual?
You can view and download the Nokia Asha 503 manual on our dedicated manual page.
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