Remember the days of affordable, reliable Nokia phones? The Nokia 500 and 600 were popular choices, offering a blend of functionality and value. But which one was truly the better option? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia 600 edges out the 500 thanks to its slightly better build quality, more robust design, and potentially longer battery life. While both are budget devices, the 600 offers a more refined experience, making it the preferred choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, September | 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Cancelled |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 111.3 x 53.8 x 14.1 mm, 73 cc (4.38 x 2.12 x 0.56 in) | 111 x 53 x 13 mm, 72 cc (4.37 x 2.09 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 93 g (3.28 oz) | 100 g (3.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~47.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~48.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz ARM 11 | 1.0 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572 (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-400 | - |
| OS | Symbian Anna, upgradable to Nokia Belle OS | Symbian Belle OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 2GB 256MB RAM | 2GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 480p@15fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | - |
| | No | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS; FM transmitter; built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Exchangeable battery covers with multiple home screens (2 included in the retail box)
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/еAAC+/WMA player
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice command/dial
Predictive text input | SNS integration
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/еAAC+/WMA player
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice command/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 35 h | Up to 60 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 500 h (2G) / Up to 455 h (3G) | Up to 540 h (2G) / Up to 600 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 6 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1110 mAh battery (BL-4U) | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-4J) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/White with covers in Black, Azure Blue, Coral Red, Purple, Khaki, Orange, Green, Pink, Silver | Black, White, Pink and Lime |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | 1.47 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.18 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.1dB / Crosstalk -91.2dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -90.1dB / Crosstalk -91.2dB | - |
| Camera | Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB | - |
Nokia 500
- Dedicated Camera
- Slightly more efficient chipset
- Compact size
- Touchscreen can be unresponsive
- Lower battery life
- Basic camera quality
Nokia 600
- More durable build
- Potentially longer battery life
- Slightly better display
- No touchscreen
- Basic camera quality
- Limited app support compared to later smartphones
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 3.2-inch QVGA (320x240) displays. The Nokia 600's display is generally considered to have slightly better color reproduction and viewing angles, though both are adequate for their time. The Nokia 500's screen is a touch-sensitive display, while the 600's is not, which impacts the user experience.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia 500 boasts a dedicated camera for photos, while the Nokia 600 relies on a basic camera app. Image quality on both is limited by the sensors and processing capabilities of the time, but the 500's dedicated camera might offer slightly better results in ideal conditions. Expect grainy images and limited low-light performance on both.
Performance
Both devices are powered by a 1.0 GHz processor. However, the Nokia 600 benefits from a slightly more optimized software experience, resulting in marginally smoother performance in everyday tasks. The Nokia 500's Mediatek MT6572 chipset (28nm) offers a slight edge in efficiency, but the overall difference in real-world performance is minimal.
Battery Life
The Nokia 600 typically offers better battery life due to its slightly larger battery capacity and potentially more efficient power management. Expect all-day usage with moderate use on the 600, while the 500 might require charging before the end of the day with similar usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Nokia 500 is ideal for users seeking a basic smartphone experience with a focus on music playback and simple apps. The Nokia 600 is better suited for those who prioritize durability, a slightly more premium feel, and a more reliable battery for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What operating system did these phones use?
Both the Nokia 500 and 600 ran Symbian^3, a mobile operating system developed by Nokia.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying today?
While functional, these phones are quite dated. They're best suited for nostalgia or very basic tasks where modern smartphone features aren't needed. App support is extremely limited.
