Wi-Fi, Dual SIM Nokia Asha 310 Promises To Reduce Data Costs

Nokia has expanded its budget-friendly Asha feature phone range with the release of the Nokia Asha 310, the Finnish manufacturer’s first handset to offer both Dual-SIM capability and Wi-Fi.

Nokia says that the new developments will allow the Asha 310 to deliver a full smartphone experience without the associated data costs or poor battery life.

The handset will be available in Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa and Brazil from Q1 2013, priced at around $102 (£65.36). There is no word on a UK release just yet, but most previous entries in the Asha series have found their way into British stores.

Nokia Asha 310 announced

The Nokia Asha 310 boasts a scratch-proof three-inch capacitive touchscreen, two megapixel camera, with storage of up to 32GB provided through a MicroSD card slot. In addition, its battery will last through 17 hours of calls and 25 days on standby, all from a single charge. Apps for social networks such as Facebook and Twitter come preloaded, as does Nokia Maps and 40 free games from EA.

Wi-Fi connectivity ensures that users can save money by choosing a wireless network for the Internet, while the latest version of the Xpress Browser – which compresses Internet data by up to 90 percent –  improves speeds and reduces costs.

Easy Swap dual-SIM technology means customers can use the right SIM card for the right tariff, or easily switch between personal and work SIMs. The main SIM card is located behind the battery, but an additional SIM slot on the side of the phone allows users to add a different network without turning off the phone. Up to five SIM profiles can be assigned, each containing preferences for text, voice and Internet traffic.

The Asha range has enjoyed great success in developing markets since it was launched in October 2011, but Nokia is facing stronger competition in the feature phone sphere at a time when it also hopes to increase its share in the smartphone market.

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