Nokia C505 Comprehensive Review Specs Pros & Cons

Specifications Overview

The Nokia C5-05, released in December 2011, represents an era of mobile phones before the prevalence of smartphones with advanced features. Despite its discontinuation, it serves as a window into the technologies of its time. Below, we explore its design, hardware specifications, multimedia capabilities, connectivity options, battery life, and user experiences.

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia C5-05 boasts a compact and lightweight design, with dimensions of 105.8 x 51 x 13.8 mm and a weight of just 93 grams. This makes it highly portable and easy to handle with one hand. It utilizes a Mini-SIM, housed in a sleek body available in various color combinations, including Black/Aluminum grey, Black Lilac, White Lilac, and White/Graphite grey. The aesthetic appeal was prioritized alongside functionality, ensuring users could carry the device comfortably.

Display Characteristics

Sporting a 3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, the Nokia C5-05 offers a display with 16 million colors and a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels at a 16:9 ratio. The pixel density of approximately 229 ppi ensures that images and text are relatively sharp and clear. Although it lacks the capacitive technology found in modern screens, the resistive touchscreen provides the basic functionality needed for navigating through the Symbian operating system.

Performance and Operating System

Under the hood, the Nokia C5-05 is powered by a 600 MHz CPU, running on the Symbian 9.4 operating system, Series 60 release 5. While this processor may seem modest by today's standards, it was adequate for the tasks intended for a device in this category during its release. Symbian OS, known for its efficiency on resource-limited devices, supports essential apps like messaging, calling, and simple gaming.

Memory and Storage Capabilities

The phone comes equipped with 40MB of internal storage, supplemented by 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM. For users needing more storage, a dedicated microSDHC slot is available, allowing for expanded memory to accommodate photos, music, and other media. Though limited compared to current smartphone standards, this was typical for phones of that era, catering to basic user needs.

Camera Specifications

The Nokia C5-05 is equipped with a single 2 MP main camera, capable of capturing images and recording videos at 480p@15fps. This camera, while basic, allows for everyday photography and the sharing of moments with friends and family, typical for devices from this period. However, it does not include a front-facing selfie camera, focusing instead on simplicity and functionality.

Audio and Connectivity

Audio capabilities on the Nokia C5-05 include a built-in loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, providing the convenience of connecting headphones for personal listening. Connectivity options encompass Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, ensuring wireless communication with other devices for data transfer and accessories. Additional connectivity features include a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and stereo FM radio support, adding entertainment options.

Navigation and Sensors

Navigation is facilitated by GPS and A-GPS, with Nokia Maps integration assisting in location tracking and navigation. Meanwhile, the accelerometer sensor enhances usability, enabling features like screen rotation and simple gaming experiences that require motion detection.

Battery Life and Power Management

The removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery (BL-4U) powers the Nokia C5-05, providing up to 600 hours of standby time, up to 11 hours and 30 minutes of talk time, and up to 35 hours of music playback. This power efficiency reflects the less demanding technology of the time, allowing for prolonged use without frequent charging, a valuable attribute for users.

Market Position and Pricing

At launch, the Nokia C5-05 was priced at approximately 80 EUR, aligning with its status as an entry-level device. It targeted consumers looking for affordability and essential mobile phone functionalities. Although now discontinued, the C5-05 remains a notable example of Nokia's influence and design philosophy in the mobile industry, capturing a specific market segment with its competitive price and practical features.

Conclusion

In summary, the Nokia C5-05 is a representation of the transitional phase in mobile technology, bridging the gap between basic feature phones and more advanced smartphones of the time. Its combination of design simplicity, essential functionalities, and affordability offers insight into consumer preferences and technological capabilities in the early 2010s. As we look back at such devices, we appreciate the milestones they represent in the ever-evolving landscape of mobile communication.