Nokia announced that the Nokia 503, the first 3.5G model in the new generation of Asha Platform smartphones, will be available for purchase in Malaysia this Friday. The phone pushes the boundaries of affordable smartphone innovation, with a unique layered design and a scratch-resistant, curved Gorilla® Glass screen – the first in the Asha series.

With a five megapixel camera and LED flash, the Nokia Asha 503 provides a smarter imaging experience through ‘swipe’ and one-touch social sharing, and features the Fastlane home screen, now more deeply integrated with social networks.

Built with the Nokia hallmarks of manufacturing quality and outstanding battery life, the phone offers compelling new experiences for just RM319.

The Nokia Asha 503 joins the Nokia Asha 500 and Nokia Asha 502, as well as the previously announced Nokia Asha 501, to offer consumers a range of smartphone capabilities and price points to suit a variety of needs.

“The new Asha trio, announced during Nokia World, has redefined ‘affordability’ by offering consumers a choice of phone that suits their budget, each with stunning design, great social apps, and new imaging experiences,” said Dick Yoong, Country Manager, Malaysia and Brunei, Nokia.

“The Nokia Asha 503 is the first 3.5G model running on the Asha platform that features a 5MP camera and a scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 screen.”

The Nokia Asha 503 is available in single SIM and Easy Swap Dual SIM variants. Easy Swap Dual SIM is unique-to-Nokia innovation that allows people to switch between SIM cards on the go, to get better tariffs or alternate between SIM cards for SMS, voice and data, without having to turn off the device.

Standout design at an affordable price

The Nokia Asha 503 features a scratch-resistant, curved Gorilla® Glass screen and a layered design, achieved using the ‘dual shot’ technique which is unique to Nokia. It combines an inner layer of bold, bright colour surrounded by crystal-clear transparency. The combination adds a distinctive look to the phone’s monobody design, as well as durability. The high-end design brought to the Nokia Asha 503’s price point is a clear differentiator, as are the craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Smarter imaging: one swipe to capture, one touch to share

The Nokia Asha 503, along with the Nokia Asha 502, are the first Asha Platform devices with a built-in five megapixel camera with LED flash and features a full-touch display and fully redesigned user interface.

Swipe is the main gesture for navigating the phone – whether answering a call, viewing notifications or closing an app. Swipe also activates the built-in camera: just swipe up from the lock screen to start the camera and touch anywhere on-screen to take a photo. The camera experience is also more social, with the option to post an image to Facebook or Twitter with just one touch.

The Nokia Asha 503 comes with integrated camera filters and photo editing, to give people even more creative options. New imaging apps like Picfeed, which lets people view Instagram feeds; Pictag for social tagging; and Photofunia for adding one of 300 special effects, will also be available to photography enthusiasts as free downloads from the Nokia Store.

The Nokia Asha 503 comes with a 4GB micro SD memory card in-box and can accommodate up to 32GB of external memory.

An even more social Asha with live updates and WhatsApp

Fastlane is the unique, second screen that acts as a shortcut to the phone’s recently accessed apps, features and content, as well as future activity, such as calendar appointments. It’s the fastest way to access an app in its last state, as well as being the social hub of the Nokia Asha 503. Deeper integration with social networks now enables live updates, which alert people to new activity through notifications on Fastlane.

By clicking on the Fastlane item with new notifications, people will be directed to the relevant post, so they never miss an important update. Fastlane can be further personalised and made more private by selecting what content can appear on-screen, and by deleting unwanted Fastlane items, on the go.

WhatsApp is also available on Asha Platform devices, starting with the Nokia Asha 501, with support for devices like the Nokia Asha 503. WhatsApp joins other popular chat and messaging apps already available for Asha Platform devices, such as WeChat, Line, eBuddy and Nimbuzz. Thousands more free apps, games and content items are available on Nokia Store.

Additional product information for Nokia Asha 503

• Display: 3” scratch-resistant curved Gorilla glass screen

• Weight: 110.2g

• Standby time, single SIM: up to 35 days

• Standby time, Dual SIM: up to 20 days

• Network: 3.5G

• Camera: 5MP camera with flash

• Other: Bluetooth 3.0 with SLAM

• Suggested retail price: RM 319

• Available colours: yellow, bright red, white and black