Available
now 30th October 2011
A pair of closely related messaging phones, the Nokia Asha
200 and Asha 201 are inexpensive feature phones aimed
at the mass market. The difference between the two models is simple
- the Asha 200 is a dual-SIM handset, where the Asha 201 is a single-SIM
device.
Both devices are Series 40 feature phones rather than smartphones,
but they can still download and run simple Java applications, in
addition to those applications that are built into the handsets.
Pre-installed software includes a web browser, a music player that
can cope with MP3 and AAC formats, an email client, social networking
support and in some markets the Asha 200 and 201 will support Nokia
Life Tools.
The hardware is simple enough - these are dual-band GSM devices
with a 2.4" 320 x 240 pixel TFT display, a smallish QWERTY
keyboard, a basic 2 megapixel camera with rudimentary video capture
capabilities, a stereo FM radio with a 3.5mm audio connector, a
microSD slot and Bluetooth. Although the download speeds are limited
to EDGE data only, the Nokia Browser is designed to make web browsing
much faster on this type of connection.
The
Asha 200 can take two SIMs at a time, and the built in SIM manager
can cope with up to five different SIM cards. The second SIM slot
is in the side of the phone, and SIMs can be hot-swapped which is
a pretty cool feature. Of course, the 201 doesn't have this feature,
but oddly enough both the 200 and 201 cost the same, priced at a
very reasonable €60 before tax and subsidy.
Inside both phones is a large 1430 mAh battery that gives up
to 7 hours talktime and 36 days standby time. The Asha 200 and 201
measure 115 x 61 x 14mm and weigh 105 grams. Both handsets come
in a very wide variety of colours.
If you're looking for a cheap alternative to a BlackBerry, then
the Asha 200 and 201 seem to be well thought out, especially the
dual-SIM Asha 200. Nokia say that the Asha 200 should be available
from Q4 2011 with the simpler Asha 201 following during Q1 2012.
It isn't exactly clear which markets either handset will be available
in, but certainly expect to see the 200 in India and Russia.
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