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Comprehensive Review Nokia C503 Specs Pricing and More

Release Date
2010, December
Camera
5MP
Battery
1000mAh
Screen
3.2"
Storage
40MB 128MB RAM , microSDHC slot
Ram
128MB RAM
Operating System
Symbian 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5

Design and Build

The Nokia C5-03 features a compact and sleek design typical of Nokia's robust offerings in the 2010s. With dimensions of 105.8 x 51 x 13.8 mm and a weight of 93 grams, the device is highly portable and fits comfortably in hand. Available in several color options including Graphite Black, Lime Green, Petrol Blue, Aluminum Grey, and Pink/black, the device caters to a variety of aesthetic preferences. The body is crafted from sturdy materials that provide durability, and the use of a Mini-SIM is standard for the time.

Display

The Nokia C5-03 is equipped with a 3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, capable of displaying 16 million colors. This choice of display provides adequate color reproduction and decent clarity with a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 52.3% might seem small by today's standards but was quite standard at the time.

Platform and Performance

Under the hood, the Nokia C5-03 runs on the Symbian 9.4 operating system, Series 60 rel. 5, which was a popular platform during its release in 2010. The device is powered by a 600 MHz ARM 11 processor, paired with 128MB of RAM. This combination allows for a reasonably smooth user experience for basic operations and applications. However, multitasking and performance-intensive tasks may show limitations due to the hardware constraints typical of the period.

Memory and Storage

The Nokia C5-03 comes with an internal storage capacity of 40MB which is quite limited by today's standards but was typical for entry and mid-level phones of that era. However, the device supports microSDHC cards, providing expandable storage options. A 2GB card is included with the purchase, with the capability to expand further using a dedicated card slot.

Camera Capabilities

On the back of the Nokia C5-03 is a 5-megapixel camera capable of capturing clear and vibrant photos for its time, lacking advanced features such as autofocus and flash but still offering respectable image quality for everyday photography. Video recording is available at 480p@15fps which, while not impressive by modern standards, was adequate for casual use when the phone was released.

Connectivity

This device includes essential connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with UPnP technology, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, and GPS with A-GPS support. The inclusion of Nokia Maps enhances its functionality as a navigation device. Additionally, it features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, a stereo FM radio for entertainment, and a 3.5mm audio jack, which makes it compatible with many audio peripherals.

Battery Life

The removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery provides the Nokia C5-03 with substantial usage time. In stand-by mode, it lasts up to 600 hours on 2G and up to 576 hours on 3G networks, making it a reliable choice for users who need prolonged usage without frequent charging. Talk time is up to 11 hours and 30 minutes on 2G, and up to 4 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. For media playback, it offers up to 35 hours of continuous music play.

Additional Features

In terms of additional features, the Nokia C5-03 includes an accelerometer sensor which allows for more intuitive interaction with the device through gesture-based controls. The browser is capable of handling WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML formats, and it supports Adobe Flash Lite, which is useful for viewing rich media content. The audio quality tests indicate a generally quiet device with a noise level of -90.0dB and crosstalk at -92.0dB.

Sar and Environmental Compliance

For health and safety considerations, the Nokia C5-03's SAR values stand at 1.36 W/kg for head and 0.89 W/kg for body, while for the European Union, it is 1.29 W/kg for head exposure. These values comply with international safety regulations and ensure safety in everyday use.

Conclusion

The Nokia C5-03 remains an interesting device from a historical perspective, offering a glimpse into the mid-tier smartphone markets of the early 2010s. Although it may be seen as outdated today, at its time, it represented a balanced blend of performance, design, and functionality that catered to a diverse range of users around the world. With the development and change in smartphone use, the C5-03 is evocative of a simpler era in mobile technology.

Key Features of Nokia C5-03

  • Compact and lightweight design (93 g)
  • 3.2 inches TFT resistive touchscreen with 16M colors
  • 5 MP rear camera with video recording
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP
  • GPS with A-GPS support and Nokia Maps
  • Supports microSDHC with 2 GB card included
  • Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery with long standby time
  • Available in various colors
  • Affordable pricing around 100 EUR
  • 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio

Disadvantages of Nokia C5-03

  • Discontinued: The device is no longer available for purchase as it has been discontinued.
  • Resistive Touchscreen: Uses a TFT resistive touchscreen which may not be as responsive or smooth as capacitive touchscreens.
  • Outdated Operating System: Runs on Symbian 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5, which is outdated and has limited app support.
  • Limited RAM: 128MB RAM may lead to slow performance, especially with modern applications.
  • Low Internal Storage: Only 40MB of internal storage, requiring constant management or dependence on a microSD card.
  • Low Video Capability: Main camera can only record video at 480p at 15fps, which is below modern standards.
  • No Front Camera: Absence of a selfie camera affects video calling capabilities and taking selfies.
  • Lack of Modern Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0 and microUSB 2.0 may not meet current connectivity needs.
  • Basic Processor: 600 MHz ARM 11 is relatively slow compared to current smartphones.
  • Low Battery Performance on 3G: Talk time of only 4 hours 30 minutes on 3G networks may be insufficient for heavy users.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
Speed HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2010, October. Released 2010, December
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 105.8 x 51 x 13.8 mm, 65 cc (4.17 x 2.01 x 0.54 in)
Weight 93 g (3.28 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
Display
Type TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~52.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density)
Platform
OS Symbian 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5
CPU 600 MHz ARM 11
Memory
Card slot microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included
Internal 40MB 128MB RAM
Main Camera
Single 5 MP
Video 480p@15fps
Selfie camera
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP technology
Bluetooth 2.0, A2DP
Positioning GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps
Radio Stereo FM radio
USB microUSB 2.0
Features
Sensors Accelerometer
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 600 h (2G) / Up to 576 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)
Music play Up to 35 h
Misc
Colors Graphite Black, Lime Green, Petrol Blue, Aluminum Grey, Pink/black
SAR 1.36 W/kg (head)     0.89 W/kg (body)
SAR EU 1.29 W/kg (head)
Price About 100 EUR
Tests
Camera Photo
Loudspeaker Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
Audio quality Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB

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