We check out Nokia’s cheapest Asha yet, the Nokia Asha 230, at just 45 Euros.
Nokia’s Asha range is a cheap and cheerful set of smartphones aimed at kiddies and people who fancy a simple, friendly smartphone for getting online, and while we appreciate the ethos, we haven’t exactly got on with all the Ashas in the past.
However, the Nokia Asha 230 is its cheapest Asha to date at just €45 (£37), and could provide a very affordable way for people to connect and enjoy apps.
The Nokia Asha 230, shown off at MWC 2014, is one of the cheapest smartphones we’ve ever clutched. It still retains the classic Asha look, which is chunky, colourful and fun. The Asha 230 feels solidly built, aside form the screen which flexes slightly when prodded – but not to a worrying degree. It’s reasonably weighty despite its compact build, and slips into a pocket with ease.
The main difference between the Nokia Asha 230 and previous models is the lack of 3G (this is a 2G-only phone) and no on-board WiFi. Connectivity may be limited, but if all you need is a mobile to check your mails and the latest headlines, it’ll do the job.
Your main interface holds all of your apps, and if you swipe to the side you get the new Fastlane screen, which holds your most recently-used apps, notifications, and any other essential bits such as calendar updates. It’s a nifty little desktop and customisable too – you can remove any bits that offend your eyes.
The camera is a very basic 2-megapixel effort, but it’s fine for on-the-go snaps of your mates and fast Facebook uploads. There’s basic control over brightness and a timer mode, but don’t expect any more than that. Still, it’ll keep the kiddiewinks amused for hours.
The Nokia Asha 230 is a no-frills basic internet-ready handset that smartphone virgins may well love. We’ll bring you a full review soon, but let us know what you think in the comments below.
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