The Nokia Asha 500 and Samsung Galaxy Young 2 represent distinct approaches to the entry-level smartphone market. The Asha 500, a descendant of Nokia’s Series 40 feature phone lineage, aimed to bridge the gap to smartphones. The Galaxy Young 2, however, offered a full Android experience, albeit a basic one, targeting users taking their first steps into the world of apps and mobile internet.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average first-time smartphone user, the Samsung Galaxy Young 2 is the better choice. While the Asha 500 may offer a longer battery life due to its simpler operating system, the Young 2’s 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 processor provides a more capable and versatile experience with access to the Google Play Store.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | Up to 236.8 kbps | - |
| GPRS | Up to 42.8 kbps | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2013, December | 2014, June. Released 2014, October |
| 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) | 109.8 x 59.9 x 11.8 mm (4.32 x 2.36 x 0.46 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 101 g (3.56 oz) | 108 g (3.81 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~41.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~55.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| OS | Nokia Asha software platform 1.1.1, upgradable to 1.4 | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64MB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 320p@13fps | 480p@24fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | 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 | Up to 24 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 840 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h | Up to 6 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1200 mAh, removable (BL-4U) | Li-Ion 1300 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black | Iris Charcoal, White |
| Models | - | SM-G130H, SM-G130HN |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 1.47 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.28 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
Nokia Asha 500
- Potentially longer battery life due to simpler OS
- Familiar interface for Series 40 users
- Likely more durable build quality
- Limited app ecosystem
- Slow performance with modern apps
- Inferior display technology
Samsung Galaxy Young 2
- Full Android experience with access to Google Play Store
- More versatile functionality
- Capacitive touchscreen for smoother interaction
- Shorter battery life compared to Asha 500
- Slower processor for demanding tasks
- Potentially less durable build
Display Comparison
Given the Asha 500’s lineage, it likely features a resistive touchscreen, common in Series 40 devices, offering lower brightness and viewing angles compared to the Galaxy Young 2’s capacitive display. While specific nit ratings are unavailable for the Asha 500, the Young 2’s display, though small, benefits from capacitive touch, enabling smoother multi-touch gestures. The Young 2’s display resolution, while modest, will provide a sharper image for app icons and basic web browsing than what the Asha 500 likely offers.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera specs for the Asha 500, it’s reasonable to assume a lower resolution sensor and limited features compared to the Galaxy Young 2. The Young 2, while not a photography powerhouse, offers a basic camera experience for capturing everyday moments. Image processing on the Young 2, even with its limited hardware, will likely be more sophisticated than what the Asha 500 can provide, resulting in slightly better image quality in favorable conditions.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Young 2’s 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 processor represents a significant architectural leap over the likely single-core processor found in the Nokia Asha 500. The Cortex-A7, while an older architecture, is designed for efficiency and provides a foundation for running Android applications. The Asha 500, running on Nokia’s Series 40 platform, is optimized for basic tasks, but will struggle with the demands of modern apps. The Young 2’s processor, coupled with its Android OS, allows for multitasking and a broader range of software compatibility.
Battery Life
The Nokia Asha 500 likely benefits from a more efficient platform (Series 40) and potentially a larger battery capacity, resulting in longer standby and talk times. However, the Samsung Galaxy Young 2’s Android OS, while more demanding, offers power-saving modes and optimizations. The Young 2’s charging time will likely be longer due to its more complex power management system, but the convenience of a full Android experience may outweigh the battery life difference for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia Asha 500 if you prioritize extreme simplicity, long battery life, and a familiar interface reminiscent of traditional feature phones. It’s ideal for users who primarily need calling and texting with occasional basic internet access. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Young 2 if you want a full Android experience, access to a wider range of apps, and a more future-proof platform, even if it means sacrificing some battery life and dealing with a slightly slower interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Young 2’s 1.0 GHz processor powerful enough for basic social media apps?
Yes, the 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 processor in the Galaxy Young 2 is sufficient for running lightweight social media apps like Facebook and Twitter, though performance may be sluggish with multiple apps open simultaneously. Expect some loading times and occasional lag.
❓ Can I install WhatsApp on the Nokia Asha 500?
No, WhatsApp requires a compatible Android or iOS operating system. The Nokia Asha 500 runs on Nokia’s Series 40 platform, which does not support WhatsApp or similar modern messaging apps. You are limited to Nokia’s own messaging services.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy Young 2 receive software updates?
Given its age and entry-level status, the Samsung Galaxy Young 2 is unlikely to receive major Android version updates. However, it may have received minor security patches during its lifespan. Do not expect to run the latest version of Android on this device.
