About six years ago, Nokia introduced a new model in the Asha line - the Nokia Asha 311. The gadget is completely touch-sensitive from previous generations of the 300 and 303 series, that is, there is not even a hint of a specific Touch and Type.
The device is manufactured in India and under the strict supervision of OTC brand specialists. Of course, the characteristics of Nokia Asha 311 do not allow it to compete with new smartphones, but it finds its consumer. The latter, as a rule, looks undemanding to performance by a user who needs an apparatus for making calls and listening to radio / music.
So, the subject of today's review is the Nokia Asha 311. smartphone. Consider the characteristics of the gadget, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the appropriateness of the purchase. We take into account the opinions of experts in this field and the reviews of ordinary phone users.
Contents of delivery
Nokia Asha 311 comes in a nice box of blue with a bright design. On the front part you can see the image of the phone itself in two ways, and on the back there is a brief specification for the device, as well as information about the manufacturer.
The interior is organized quite sensibly, so the accessories do not "swear" with each other and do not fall out of the grooves. The packaging itself is made of dense and high-quality cardboard, and after unpacking it is even a pity to throw it away.
Inside you will see:
- Nokia Asha 311 device itself;
- proprietary charger AC-11;
- BL-4U class battery
- Headphones WH-102;
- 2 GB external SD drive (MU-37)
- micro USB cable;
- the documentation.
The package bundle can be called standard, and there is nothing superfluous, like covers or a stylus, in it. You can use the phone âout of the boxâ, so there will be no problems getting started. Judging by the user reviews of the Nokia Asha 311, it is advisable to immediately replace the memory card that comes with it with a more capacious one. Better if it will be at least 8 GB. Otherwise, organizing a normal collection of music with tracks at high bitrate will not work.
There are no questions to all other accessories: high-quality charging, the same branded battery, and the cable in no way looks like a Chinese fake. Headphones seem to be good, but again, picky music lovers should find an interesting option.
Appearance
At first glances it may seem that the phone is massive and heavy. In fact, the Nokia Asha 311 is a compact and very light candy bar. And despite its size, the phone fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
The case is made entirely of plastic, stylized like metal. This is a good solution for a budget gadget, but the surface of the device is like a magnet for fingerprints and dust with dirt. In this case, a matte finish would clearly not be superfluous. Users in their reviews unanimously advise immediately to purchase at least some small case, otherwise after a week of intensive use the case will not be recognized.
The device comes in four basic colors: blue, red, gray and sand. Gray and blue look more solid and suitable for conservatives, and the rest - for an amateur. The shade in no way affects the cost.
Interfaces
On the front side you can see the earpiece, brand logo, light sensor, microphone, as well as two mechanical keys (call and end). On the left side is a hole for the cord, and on the right is the power key and volume rocker.
At the top there is a mini-USB interface for synchronizing with a PC, and a little 2 mm away the connector and the usual 3.5 mm âmini-jackâ for a headset. Behind is the main speaker, another brand logo and camera eye. Judging by user reviews, the latter looks somehow hypertrophied and completely breaks down the overall style of the phone.
Under the cover there are slots for an external drive and for a mobile operatorâs card. They are covered by a battery, so there can be no talk of a "hot" replacement. The cover can be easily removed, but you should not get carried away with frequent card changes, because the grooves can become loose, and it will simply fly off by itself.
Screen
The gadget received a small 3-inch screen on a simple matrix with a resolution of 400 by 240 pixels. The density of the latter is 155 ppi, so pixelation can be seen even with the naked eye.
The matrix calmly gives out 65 thousand colors, but all of them become useless even with a small change in the viewing angle. So the device is completely âselfishâ and you wonât succeed in watching a photo or video in the company of a like-minded person - you will have to constantly twist the device.
The screen itself is protected by venerable glass Gorilla Glass. Here we have the simplest version, so you shouldnât rush into all the hardships with the phone. Glass can break when it hits the asphalt, as well as get scratched. From the usual everyday troubles, such as keys in pockets or falling onto a wooden floor, protection saves, but no more.
Platform
The phone runs on the proprietary Nokia platform - Series 40 Developer 2.0. The operating system interface is very similar to a similar solution in iPhones of earlier versions. Users in their reviews note the intuitive controls and menu branches, which even a person who has never previously worked on the Nokia OS will understand.
The interface itself functions smoothly, without delays and brakes, and regular applications for Nokia Asha 311 open very quickly. Although some users complain about a slightly clumsy electronic keyboard, you can quickly get used to it or install some other version both from the manufacturerâs official website and from amateur forums.
Performance
Of course, you canât count on serious 3D games. The only game programs for Nokia Asha 311 that go without any problems are arcade games like âthree in a rowâ, âBirdsâ, âWormsâ, etc. Everything else will either slow down or not start at all.
As mentioned above - this is mostly a music phone, and the audio component is well implemented here: a normal player, an excellent radio and a sensible gallery for tracks.
Standalone time
The device received a mediocre 1110 mAh battery. But despite such a modest amount, the battery life of the gadget is quite acceptable. Here the undemanding "filling" and the same screen affected.
The manufacturer claims 744 hours of battery life in standby mode, which, in fact, no one needs, and 6 hours of continuous talking. If you properly load the gadget with video or toys, then the battery lasts quietly for five hours.
Listening to music, talking and text messages will drain the battery of the day in two or three. So this is a very good indicator, if we compare this model with the âAndroidâ brother, which by the end of the day asks for a power outlet.
Summarizing
This model is suitable for those who need a quality smartphone at a more affordable cost. But the word "smartphone" is not key here, because the capabilities of the device are very modest and it can not boast of good performance or decent visualization.
By and large - this is a âdialerâ with a large and convenient screen, as well as very good musical capabilities. If you look at the ultra-budget segment of smartphones, we will see mediocre âAlcatelâ, âFliesâ and other similar devices, where all modern solutions are implemented just for show and work with terrible brakes.
In our case, we have a high-quality budget phone from a renowned manufacturer with no claims on performance and advanced âchipsâ. But everything that is in it works as it should, and there is no need to talk about any ticks.