Nokia C5-03 vs Nokia C5-06: A Detailed Throwback Comparison

Nokia's legacy lives on with these classic devices. The Nokia C5-03 and C5-06 offer a nostalgic experience for those seeking a simple, reliable phone. But which one is the better choice for today's user? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia C5-03 clearly edges out the C5-06 thanks to its significantly more powerful chipset (Exynos 9609), better display contrast, and superior battery life. While both offer a basic experience, the C5-03 provides a noticeable performance boost and longer usage time.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia C5-03	Nokia C5-06

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100	-
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41	-
EDGE	-	Class 32
GPRS	-	Class 32
Speed	HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps	-
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM

Launch
Announced	2010, October. Released 2010, December	2011, October. Released 2012, March
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	-
Dimensions	105.8 x 51 x 13.8 mm, 65 cc (4.17 x 2.01 x 0.54 in)	105.8 x 51 x 13.8 mm, 65 cc (4.17 x 2.01 x 0.54 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	93 g (3.28 oz)	93 g (3.28 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 (~52.3% screen-to-body ratio)	3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~52.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors	TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors
	Handwriting recognition	Handwriting recognition

Platform
CPU	600 MHz ARM 11	600 MHz
Chipset	Exynos 9609 (10 nm)	-
GPU	Mali-G72 MP3	-
OS	Symbian 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5	Symbian 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	40MB 128MB RAM	40MB 128MB RAM 256MB ROM

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	-
Single	5 MP	2 MP
Triple	12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p) 5 MP, f/2.2, (depth)	-
Video	480p@15fps	480p@15fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	12 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm	-
Video	1080p@30fps	-
	No	No

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.0, A2DP	2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFC	Yes	-
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps	GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps
Radio	Stereo FM radio	Stereo FM radio
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP technology	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite	-
Sensors	Accelerometer	Accelerometer
	MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/WAV/еAAC+/WMA player Photo editor Organizer Voice command/dial Predictive text input	MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/WAV/еAAC+/WMA player Photo editor Organizer QuickOffice document viewer Voice command/dial Predictive text input

Battery
Charging	10W wired	-
Music play	Up to 35 h	Up to 35 h
Stand-by	Up to 600 h (2G) / Up to 576 h (3G)	Up to 600 h
Talk time	Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 11 h 30 min
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery (Bl-4U)

Misc
Colors	Graphite Black, Lime Green, Petrol Blue, Aluminum Grey, Pink/black	Graphite Black, Aluminium Grey, Red, Orange, Blue, Black Illuvial, White Illuvial, White/Red, White/Orange
Models	XT2013-1, XT2013-2, XT2013-4	-
Price	About 100 EUR	About 90 EUR
SAR	1.36 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	1.29 W/kg (head)	0.90 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB	-
Battery life	Endurance rating 66h	-
Camera	Photo	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 1237:1 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB	-
Performance	AnTuTu: 148748 (v7) GeekBench: 5271 (v4.4)	-

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB	-
Camera	Photo	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB	-

Nokia C5-03

Superior Performance (Exynos 9609)
Excellent Battery Life (66h Endurance)
Better Display Contrast (1237:1)
More Modern Chipset

Basic Camera Quality
Outdated Design
Limited App Support

Nokia C5-06

Potentially Lower Price
Simple and Easy to Use
Classic Nokia Design

Poor Performance (Single-Core 600 MHz)
Unknown Battery Life (Likely Shorter)
Basic Display
Limited Functionality

Display Comparison

The Nokia C5-03 boasts a significantly better display with a contrast ratio of 1237:1, offering richer colors and deeper blacks compared to the C5-06's likely standard display (specs are missing, assuming a lower contrast ratio). Both feature similar screen sizes and resolutions, but the C5-03's contrast makes a noticeable difference.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a basic photo camera. However, the C5-03's chipset likely allows for slightly better image processing, although don't expect high-quality photos from either device. Both are primarily for basic snapshots.

Performance

This is where the C5-03 shines. Its Exynos 9609 chipset (10nm) provides a substantial performance advantage over the C5-06's single-core 600 MHz processor. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the C5-03. The C5-06 will feel noticeably slower.

Battery Life

The C5-03's endurance rating of 66h is a major win. The C5-06's battery life is unknown, but likely significantly shorter given its less efficient processor. The C5-03 offers significantly longer usage time between charges.

Buying Guide

The Nokia C5-03 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and battery life within a budget-friendly, retro package. The Nokia C5-06 might appeal to those seeking the absolute bare minimum in a Nokia phone, valuing simplicity above all else, and potentially finding it at a lower price point.