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

Nokia's legacy spans decades, from feature phones to modern smartphones. Today, we pit two vastly different Nokia devices against each other: the robust Nokia XR21, a contemporary 5G phone, and the Nokia Asha 503, a classic entry-level device. This comparison explores their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which best suits your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia XR21 is the clear winner for most users, offering 5G connectivity, a modern processor, and a significantly better camera. However, the Asha 503 remains a compelling option for those seeking a simple, ultra-budget-friendly device for basic communication and entertainment.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia XR21	Nokia Asha 503

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 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, LTE, 5G	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA

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

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame	-
Dimensions	168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)	102.6 x 60.6 x 12.7 mm (4.04 x 2.39 x 0.5 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)	Micro-SIM
Weight	231 g (8.15 oz)	110.2 g (3.88 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 Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density)
Size	6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)	3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~44.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)	TFT, 256K colors

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	Android 12	Nokia Asha software platform 1.2

Memory
Card slot	Unspecified	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included
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	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash
Single	-	5 MP
Video	1080p@30fps	480p@19fps

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, with stereo speakers	Yes

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

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Accelerometer, proximity
	-	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-Po 4800 mAh	Li-Ion 1200 mAh, removable (BL-4U)

Misc
Colors	Midnight Black, Pine Green	Yellow, black, green, red, blue, white
Price	About 570 EUR	About 90 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 XR21

Durable build
5G connectivity
Modern processor
Good camera
Fast charging

Higher price point
Potentially bulky

Nokia Asha 503

Extremely affordable
Compact size
Long battery life (relative to size)
Simple to use

Low performance
Basic camera
Low-resolution display
No 5G

Display Comparison

The XR21 boasts a modern display, likely IPS LCD with a resolution around 1080 x 2400 pixels, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Asha 503 has a smaller, lower-resolution display (likely 320 x 496 pixels) with a contrast ratio of 635:1 (nominal) and 1.281 (sunlight). While the Asha 503's contrast ratio is surprisingly good for sunlight readability, the XR21's larger size and higher resolution provide a far superior viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The XR21 features a multi-lens camera system (likely a 64MP main sensor), capable of capturing high-resolution photos and videos. The Asha 503 has a basic photo camera, offering limited functionality and image quality. The XR21's camera is a major upgrade in terms of features and performance.

Performance

The XR21's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and Octa-core CPU deliver significantly better performance than the Asha 503's likely single-core processor. The XR21 handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps with ease, while the Asha 503 is best suited for basic tasks. The 6nm process of the XR21 also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The XR21 likely has a battery capacity around 4470 mAh, supporting 33W fast charging. The Asha 503 has a smaller battery (likely around 1100 mAh), offering significantly less battery life. The XR21's fast charging capabilities further enhance its convenience.

Buying Guide

The Nokia XR21 is ideal for users who want a durable smartphone with 5G, decent performance, and a reliable camera. The Nokia Asha 503 is best suited for those needing a basic phone for calls, texts, and simple apps, prioritizing affordability above all else.