What's good
- Sturdy, attractive design
- Excellent call quality
- Great battery life
What's bad
- No Wi-Fi Support
- Screen too small for web browsing
Unlike Nokia's Lumia lineup running Windows, the Nokia 515 is a feature handset based on the basic Series 40 operating system. Like most feature phones the 515 has a standard candy bar design but reviewers found that the device felt more premium due to its sand-blasted aluminum body and slightly curved display. At 11mm, the phone is definitely not the slimmest on the market but it is light weighing in at 103 grams. Most however enjoyed the thickness of the phone with S21 stating, "The smooth, matte finish and chunky shape make the phone very tactile."
The front sports a 2.4-inch LCD display and keypad. The 320x240 resolution offers 166ppi pixel density. Although certainly lagging behind smartphones, most critics describe the display as practical and usable albeit a bit too small when browsing the web on the phone's 3G network. Aside from the web browsing app, the 515 also offers email and basic social media apps like Facebook and Twitter. Despite its 2G and 3G connectivity, the handset does not have Wi-Fi capability.
As a feature handset, the most important aspect is its call quality. Nokia built-in HD Voice for better quality and it stood up to expert scrutiny. Reviewers found the voice quality to be incredibly clear with hardly any distortion at higher volumes.
Hardware-wise this phone doesn't really offer much save for an option for dual sim cards and a 5MP rear-facing camera. The camera was a highlight for many reviewers as it offers voice-guided self-portraits, 100-degree panoramas and decent picture quality.
Another perk of the this phone is battery life. When simply used to make and receive calls, experts were able to get around 2 days of charge from the phone. Once they employed 3G however, battery life dropped significantly to around 5 hours.
Critics' responses have been generally mixed in regards to the Nokia 515. TecMetic says, "Though the phone has got some nice features…absence of Wi-Fi…and touch screen makes the phone outdated." ITProPortal adds, "People wanting a relatively simple phone could be drawn to this handset, but I'm not sure I would recommend it."
What the Critics Are Saying...
- GSMArena team, GSMArenaOh well, touchscreen smartphones are only going to get more popular in developing markets, and the Nokia 515 has no illusions about its chances. There must be still people out there though who can, and will, appreciate style, simplicity and timeless design. Oh, and speed dial.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nokia 515 user manual here.
Nokia backs up the 515 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your 515 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Nokia 515 Manual (PDF)
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