ⓘ HMD Global
The HMD Asha 305 could be offered as a more expensive alternative to the HMD Touch shown here.
The affordable, compact Nokia Asha 305 could be making a comeback after 14 years. HMD Global is already listing an HMD Asha 305. The device could be positioned, in keeping with the tradition of its namesake, as a particularly compact, affordable smartphone.
HMD Global’s website lists the certification of a brand-new smartphone that the manufacturer calls “HMD TA-1779 (HMD Asha 305).” Although the website reveals few details about the device’s specifications, it indicates that HMD Global is planning a comeback for the Nokia Asha series. The Nokia Asha 305 was originally introduced in July 2012.
The device was designed as a more affordable alternative to conventional Android smartphones, as the Nokia Asha 305 shipped with Nokia’s in-house S40 operating system instead of Android. With a 3-inch touchscreen featuring a resolution of 400 x 240 pixels, a 2-megapixel main camera, 32 megabytes of RAM, and up to 64 MB of flash memory, its specs were already lower end in 2012 than those of a typical mid-range smartphone. However, the device was at least relatively compact and equipped with a 3.5-mm headphone jack, a microSD slot, and a removable battery.
The certification suggests that the HMD Asha 305 has a built-in LTE modem, so it’s likely not just a reissue of the old Nokia Asha 305, the electronics are probably at least partially new. The Asha branding suggests that the HMD Asha 305 is a smartphone in the style of the HMD Touch 4G – that is, a very compact, affordable device with a modern design that bridges the gap between feature phones and smartphones with a touchscreen, a very limited selection of apps, and a selfie camera. It is not yet known when the HMD Asha 305 will be released.
Since 2009 I have written for different publications with a focus on consumer electronics. I joined the Notebookcheck news team in 2018 and have combined my many years of experience with laptops and smartphones with my lifelong passion for technology to create informative content for our readers about new developments in this sphere. In addition, my design background as an art director at an ad agency has allowed me to have deeper insights into the peculiarities of this industry.