Nokia Asha 503 vs Nokia XR21: A Tale of Two Nokias

Nokia's legacy spans decades, producing phones for every need and budget. Today, we pit two vastly different Nokias against each other: the budget-friendly Asha 503, a classic feature phone, and the modern, 5G-capable XR21. This comparison will help you decide which Nokia best suits your lifestyle.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia XR21 is the clear winner for most users. Its 5G connectivity, powerful processor, and modern features far outweigh the Asha 503's simplicity. However, the Asha 503 remains a compelling option for those seeking a basic, ultra-affordable phone for calls and texts.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia Asha 503	Nokia XR21

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2013, October. Released 2013, November	2023, May 03
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2023, June 11

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	102.6 x 60.6 x 12.7 mm (4.04 x 2.39 x 0.5 in)	168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)
SIM	Micro-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight	110.2 g (3.88 oz)	231 g (8.15 oz)
	-	IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size	3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~44.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 256K colors	IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	-	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
Chipset	-	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPU	-	Adreno 619
OS	Nokia Asha software platform 1.2	Android 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included	Unspecified
Internal	-	128GB 6GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	-	64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Features	LED flash	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP	-
Video	480p@19fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	-	16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)
Video	-	1080p@30fps
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	3.0, A2DP	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	No	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Radio	Stereo FM radio	Unspecified
USB	microUSB 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	SNS apps MP4/H.263 player MP3/AAC player Photo editor Organizer Voice memo Predictive text input	-

Battery
Charging	-	33W wired, PD2.0, QC3
Music play	Up to 34 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 840 h (2G) / Up to 840 h (3G)	-
Talk time	Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)	-
Type	Li-Ion 1200 mAh, removable (BL-4U)	Li-Po 4800 mAh

Misc
Colors	Yellow, black, green, red, blue, white	Midnight Black, Pine Green
Price	About 90 EUR	About 570 EUR
SAR EU	1.43 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body)	-

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -88.3dB / Crosstalk -82.1dB	-
Camera	Photo	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 635:1 (nominal), 1.281 (sunlight)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 75dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 75dB	-

Nokia Asha 503

Ultra-affordable
Simple and easy to use
Decent battery life for basic use
Durable build quality (typical of Nokia feature phones)

Very limited functionality
Small, low-resolution display
Poor performance
Basic camera
No 5G connectivity

Nokia XR21

5G connectivity
Powerful processor
Excellent display
Good camera
Fast charging
Durable design

More expensive than the Asha 503
Can be bulky
Software updates may be limited compared to other brands

Display Comparison

The Asha 503 features a 2.4-inch QVGA display with a respectable contrast ratio (635:1 nominal, 1.281 in sunlight). While functional, it's small and lacks the resolution of the XR21's 6.43-inch FHD+ display. The XR21 offers a significantly larger, sharper, and more vibrant viewing experience, making it far superior for media consumption and general use.

Camera Comparison

The Asha 503 has a basic photo camera, but lacks detailed specifications. The XR21 boasts a 64MP main camera, offering significantly better image quality, more detail, and improved low-light performance. The XR21 also includes features like video recording and various shooting modes, absent in the Asha 503.

Performance

Here's where the XR21 truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and Octa-core CPU provide a substantial performance boost compared to the Asha 503's basic processor. The XR21 handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps with ease, while the Asha 503 struggles with even simple tasks. The XR21's 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

While the Asha 503 has a decent battery life for its limited functionality, the XR21's larger battery (4470 mAh) and 33W fast charging provide longer usage and quicker top-ups. The XR21's power efficiency, thanks to its modern chipset, further extends its battery life.

Buying Guide

The Nokia Asha 503 is ideal for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and basic features, and who are on a very tight budget. The Nokia XR21 is perfect for those wanting a modern smartphone experience with 5G, a good camera, and a durable design.