The Nokia Asha 500 and the LG Optimus L3 II E430 represent distinct approaches to affordable mobile communication. The Asha 500, a Series 40 feature phone, targets users prioritizing simplicity and battery life, while the L3 II, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S1, attempts to deliver a basic smartphone experience. This comparison dissects their core differences, revealing which device best suits varying needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users needing basic smartphone functionality like app access and internet browsing, the LG Optimus L3 II E430 is the clear winner. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset, while dated, provides a significantly more versatile experience than the Nokia Asha 500's feature phone platform. However, the Asha 500 excels in battery endurance and simplicity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | Up to 236.8 kbps | - |
| GPRS | Up to 42.8 kbps | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2013, December | 2013, February. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 100.3 x 58.1 x 12.8 mm, 70.9 cc (3.95 x 2.29 x 0.50 in) | 102.6 x 61.1 x 11.9 mm (4.04 x 2.41 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 101 g (3.56 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~125 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~41.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 31.7 cm2 (~50.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Nokia Asha software platform 1.1.1, upgradable to 1.4 | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64MB RAM | 4GB (1.6GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 320p@13fps | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | SNS apps
MP4/H.263 player
MP3/WAV/AAC player
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 46 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 840 h | Up to 608 h (2G) / Up to 700 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1200 mAh, removable (BL-4U) | Li-Po 1540 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black | Indigo Black, Titanium silver, White |
| Models | - | E430 |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 1.47 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 1.02 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.28 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
Nokia Asha 500
- Exceptional battery life
- Extreme simplicity and ease of use
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- Limited functionality (no app store)
- Basic display
- No smartphone features
LG Optimus L3 II E430
- Android OS with app access
- Basic web browsing and email capabilities
- More versatile than a feature phone
- Slow performance due to the Snapdragon S1
- Limited battery life
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
Given the Asha 500's position as a feature phone, detailed display specifications are unavailable. The LG Optimus L3 II E430 likely features a standard LCD panel, typical for its price point. The L3 II's display, while likely lower resolution than modern smartphones, offers the benefit of color reproduction and the ability to display more complex information than the Asha 500's limited screen. The Asha 500's display is optimized for readability and power efficiency, prioritizing text clarity over vibrant visuals.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Nokia Asha 500 are scarce. The LG Optimus L3 II E430 likely features a basic camera sensor, potentially around 3-5 megapixels. While image quality from both devices will be limited, the L3 II's camera benefits from Android's image processing capabilities, offering features like basic filters and potentially HDR. The Asha 500's camera is likely focused on simple snapshots, prioritizing ease of use over image fidelity.
Performance
The LG Optimus L3 II E430's Qualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon S1, with its 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU, represents a significant performance advantage over the Asha 500. The Snapdragon S1, while an older architecture, enables multitasking and app execution impossible on the Asha 500's Series 40 platform. The Cortex-A5 core, though not power-efficient by today's standards, provides a baseline level of responsiveness for basic Android tasks. The Asha 500 relies on a proprietary platform optimized for speed within its limited scope, but cannot compete with the L3 II's processing capabilities.
Battery Life
The Nokia Asha 500, being a feature phone, is expected to deliver exceptional battery life – potentially days on a single charge. The LG Optimus L3 II E430, with its Snapdragon S1 and Android OS, will have significantly shorter battery life, likely requiring daily charging with moderate use. The Asha 500's power efficiency stems from its simpler operating system and less demanding hardware. While the L3 II's battery capacity is unknown, the Snapdragon S1's power consumption will be a limiting factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia Asha 500 if you need a durable, incredibly long-lasting phone primarily for calls and texts, and value simplicity above all else. It's ideal for users who are resistant to smartphones or require a reliable backup device. Buy the LG Optimus L3 II E430 if you prefer a basic Android experience, allowing access to apps, email, and limited web browsing, even if performance is constrained.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Optimus L3 II E430 capable of running modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
While the LG Optimus L3 II E430 can technically run older versions of WhatsApp and Facebook, performance will be extremely limited. The Snapdragon S1 processor and limited RAM will struggle with these apps, resulting in slow loading times and frequent crashes. It's best suited for lightweight apps.
❓ How does the Nokia Asha 500 handle internet connectivity?
The Nokia Asha 500 offers basic internet connectivity through 2G networks. Browsing will be slow and limited to text-based websites. It's not designed for streaming videos or using data-intensive applications. The experience is focused on essential online tasks like checking email or accessing simple information.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either the Nokia Asha 500 or the LG Optimus L3 II E430?
The LG Optimus L3 II E430 likely supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage for apps and media. The Nokia Asha 500 may also offer microSD card support, but the capacity will be limited by the device's hardware and software. Check the specific model specifications for maximum supported storage.
