Nokia's legacy lives on with these classic devices. The C5-03 and E5 offer a glimpse into a simpler era of mobile technology. But which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia C5-03 edges out the E5 thanks to its significantly better display contrast and a more modern chipset (Exynos 9609). While both offer basic functionality, the C5-03 provides a slightly more refined experience, making it the preferred choice for those seeking a nostalgic yet functional device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, October. Released 2010, December | 2010, April. Released 2010, August |
| 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) | 115 x 58.9 x 12.8 mm, 75 cc (4.53 x 2.32 x 0.50 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 93 g (3.28 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~169 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~52.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.36 inches, 17.2 cm2 (~25.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Handwriting recognition | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Exynos 9609 (10 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | - |
| OS | Symbian 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5 | Symbian 9.3, Series 60 rel. 3.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 40MB 128MB RAM | 250MB; 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 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 | 2.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps | GPS, A-GPS; Ovi Maps |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP technology | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP & DLNA technology |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | - |
| | MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/еAAC+/WMA player
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice command/dial
Predictive text input | Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), PDF viewer
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Voice command/dial
Organizer
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 35 h | Up to 38 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h (2G) / Up to 576 h (3G) | Up to 635 h (2G) / Up to 670 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 13 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 15 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-4D) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Lime Green, Petrol Blue, Aluminum Grey, Pink/black | Carbon Black, Chalk White, Sky Blue, Copper Brown, Silver Grey |
| 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) | 1.18 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.29 W/kg (head) | 0.88 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -91.5dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 66h | - |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1237:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 148748 (v7)
GeekBench: 5271 (v4.4) | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB | Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -91.5dB |
| Camera | Photo | Photo |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB | Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Nokia C5-03
- Superior display contrast (1237:1)
- More modern chipset (Exynos 9609)
- Significantly better battery life (66h)
- Potentially slightly better performance
- Basic camera quality
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
Nokia E5
- Potentially more affordable
- Classic Nokia design
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- May have slightly different software features (depending on firmware)
- Inferior display quality
- Likely shorter battery life
- Older chipset
- Basic camera quality
Display Comparison
The Nokia C5-03 boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1237:1, a significant advantage over the E5's likely standard display. This translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, making the C5-03 a more enjoyable device for media consumption and general use. The E5 likely has a smaller screen size and lower resolution.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo' camera, indicating basic camera capabilities. Expect low resolution images and limited features on both. Neither phone is expected to excel in photography.
Performance
Both phones share the same 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU, suggesting similar processing power. However, the C5-03's Exynos 9609 chipset (10nm) offers a potential advantage in efficiency and possibly slightly better performance compared to the E5's likely older chipset. Expect basic functionality on both.
Battery Life
The Nokia C5-03 takes a clear lead in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 66 hours. The E5's battery life is likely to be considerably shorter, potentially around 30-40 hours under moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C5-03 is ideal for users prioritizing a better viewing experience and slightly improved performance. The Nokia E5 might appeal to those seeking a more basic, budget-friendly option, or those who specifically prefer its design and software features (if available).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
They offer a nostalgic experience and can be functional for basic tasks like calls and texts. However, modern smartphones offer vastly superior features and performance.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both phones run Symbian OS, an older mobile operating system. Don't expect app store access like you find on Android or iOS.
