The Nokia Asha 308 and Micromax Bolt A35 represent a segment of the market focused on affordability and essential functionality. While both aim to provide basic communication tools, they approach this goal with different strengths. The Asha 308 prioritizes display clarity, while the Bolt A35 introduces a modest level of processing power, making a direct comparison crucial for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing readability in bright conditions and a generally more pleasant visual experience, the Nokia Asha 308 is the better choice. Its significantly higher contrast ratios, both nominal and in sunlight, outweigh the Micromax Bolt A35’s single advantage: a 1.0 GHz CPU, which offers limited benefit in basic phone usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| EDGE | Up to 236.8 kbps | Yes |
| GPRS | Up to 85.6 kbps | Class 12 |
| Technology | GSM | GSM |
| | GSM 850 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, September. Released 2012, October | 2013, February. Released 2013, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 109.9 x 54 x 13 mm, 67 cc (4.33 x 2.13 x 0.51 in) | 124 x 64 x 11.6 mm (4.88 x 2.52 x 0.46 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 104 g (3.67 oz) | 89 g (3.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~155 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 25.6 cm2 (~43.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 65K colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.0 GHz |
| OS | - | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 20MB 128MB ROM 64MB RAM | - |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 176x144@13fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0 | 2.1 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Proprietary |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | Yes + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.1 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | - |
| | SNS integration
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 54 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h | Up to 175 h |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h | Up to 4 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 1110 mAh, removable (BL-4U) | Li-Ion, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Golden light | Black |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.93 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -81.5dB / Crosstalk -78.2dB | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 938:1 (nominal) / 1.911:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 81dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
Nokia Asha 308
- Superior display contrast for better readability
- Excellent sunlight visibility
- Likely more durable build quality (Nokia reputation)
- Potentially slower processing speed
- Limited app ecosystem
Micromax Bolt A35
- 1.0 GHz CPU offers slight performance edge
- Potentially lower price point
- May include additional pre-installed apps
- Inferior display contrast and readability
- Likely lower build quality
- Limited long-term software support
Display Comparison
The Nokia Asha 308’s display stands out with a nominal contrast ratio of 938:1, and a remarkable 1.911:1 contrast ratio in direct sunlight. This indicates excellent visibility even under challenging lighting conditions. The Micromax Bolt A35’s display specifications are absent, but given its market positioning, it likely features a standard TN panel with significantly lower contrast, resulting in washed-out colors and poor readability outdoors. The Asha 308’s contrast advantage directly translates to a better user experience for viewing texts, contacts, and any limited multimedia content.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is positioned as a photography powerhouse. The context data lacks camera specifications for both the Nokia Asha 308 and Micromax Bolt A35. Given their target market, both likely feature low-resolution cameras suitable only for basic snapshots. Any comparison here would be speculative without further information, but it’s safe to assume image quality will be limited on both devices.
Performance
The Micromax Bolt A35 features a 1.0 GHz CPU, a specification absent from the Asha 308’s data. However, the impact of this CPU is limited by the likely low RAM capacity and basic operating system of both devices. The Asha 308 likely relies on a less powerful processor, but for core functions like calls, texts, and contact management, the difference will be negligible. The 1.0 GHz CPU in the Bolt A35 might offer slightly faster app loading times for pre-installed applications, but it won’t enable demanding tasks or multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor for basic phones, but data is missing for both devices. Considering the Asha 308’s focus on display quality and the Bolt A35’s modest CPU, battery life will likely be comparable. Both devices are expected to offer several days of standby time and reasonable talk time, but actual performance will depend on usage patterns and network conditions. Without specific mAh ratings or charging wattage, a definitive comparison is impossible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia Asha 308 if you need a phone primarily for calls and texts, and value a clear, visible display, especially outdoors. Its superior contrast ratio makes it ideal for users who spend time in sunny environments. Buy the Micromax Bolt A35 if you anticipate needing slightly faster response times for very basic app usage, though the performance gains will be minimal given the limited software capabilities of both devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the 1.0 GHz processor in the Micromax Bolt A35 make a noticeable difference when using basic apps like the calculator or calendar?
While the 1.0 GHz processor offers a slight performance advantage, the difference will be minimal for basic applications. Both phones are designed for simple tasks, and the Asha 308’s processor is likely sufficient for these functions. The limited RAM and operating system will be the primary bottlenecks, not the CPU speed.
❓ How much better is the Nokia Asha 308’s display in direct sunlight compared to a typical feature phone screen?
The Asha 308’s 1.911:1 contrast ratio in sunlight is exceptionally high for a feature phone. This means text and images will remain clearly visible even under bright sunlight, unlike most feature phones where the screen becomes washed out and difficult to read. This is a significant advantage for outdoor use.
❓ Is the Nokia Asha 308 a smartphone?
No, the Nokia Asha 308 is not a smartphone. It's a feature phone, meaning it offers basic functionality like calls, texts, and limited internet access, but lacks the advanced operating system and app ecosystem of a smartphone.
