Nokia Asha 202 Complete Guide to Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to the Nokia Asha 202

The Nokia Asha 202 is a dual SIM feature phone that was announced in February 2012 and released in June 2012. It belongs to the Nokia Asha series, which was targeted at budget-conscious consumers looking for essential features combined with a robust design. Although discontinued, the Asha 202 is remembered for its practicality and usability during its time.

Design and Build

The Asha 202 sports a compact design with dimensions of 114.8 x 49.8 x 13.9 mm and a weight of 90 grams. It is built as a dual SIM device, facilitating easy switching between two SIM cards without needing to carry multiple phones. Despite its budget category, Nokia provided a range of color options, including Dark Red, Black, Silver White, Dark Grey, and Golden White, allowing users some level of personalization.

Display

The device features a 2.4-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, providing about 167 ppi density. While not equipped with advanced touchscreen technology, the resistive screen allowed basic touch inputs for navigation, enhancing user interaction compared to traditional keypad-only phones.

Camera

For photography, the Nokia Asha 202 includes a 2 MP rear camera. It supports basic photography needs and can capture video at 176x144 pixels at 15fps. Although modest by today’s standards, the inclusion of a camera was noteworthy for feature phones in its class.

Performance and Storage

Under the hood, the Asha 202 is powered by 16MB of RAM with 32MB ROM and an additional 10MB internal storage capability. For users needing more space, the phone supports external microSDHC cards, allowing additional storage for music, photos, and other files. This capability was crucial for personalizing the mobile experience by storing multimedia files and applications.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1020 mAh battery (BL-5C), the Asha 202 offers robust battery life, with up to 400 hours stand-by time, 5 hours of talk time, and up to 25 hours of music play. Such stamina was particularly advantageous for users who required reliable endurance without frequent recharging.

Connectivity and Features

The Nokia Asha 202 provides connectivity through GSM technology with 2G support (GSM 900/1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2). It features GPRS and EDGE capabilities, useful for basic mobile internet browsing. Bluetooth 2.1, EDR, and microUSB 2.0 support facilitated peripheral device interactions such as file transfers.

Entertainment is catered to with stereo FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities, while a 3.5mm audio jack supports audio output for headphones or external speakers. Users could also enjoy pre-installed games and Java applications, an attractive feature for passing time.

Operating System and User Interface

The device runs on the feature phone operating system, augmented by a resistive touchscreen interface. Given the modest hardware specifications, the OS is optimized for efficiency to ensure smooth operation within its capabilities, notably for essential tasks like calling and messaging.

Pricing and Release

At launch, the Nokia Asha 202 was priced at about 70 EUR. This pricing positioned it attractively for those seeking a cost-effective phone with dual SIM capacity and touch capabilities. Its affordability, along with practical features, contributed to its appeal in emerging markets and for users prioritizing functionality over advanced technology.

Conclusion

The Nokia Asha 202 exemplifies a chapter in mobile telephony history where basic functionality, affordability, and dual SIM capability were central to product design. It carved a niche for itself among budget-conscious consumers and helped bridge the gap between traditional feature phones and the emerging smartphone market of the early 2010s.