Nokia 5230 vs 5530 XpressMusic
Few weeks ago Nokia released the stripped down version of 5800 with new look and compact design, 5530 XpressMusic and now its about to launch even cheaper model 5230. Nokia 5530 faced criticism due to the lack of 3G. As most of the people give preference to 3G over Wifi due to its wide coverage. Nokia 5230 has 3G but lacks Wifi. GPS is a welcome addition which is missing in Nokia 5530.
Nokia 5230 |
Nokia 5530 XpressMusic |
Lets compare these budget smartphones in more detail -
Looks and Design – As you can see, Nokia 5530 is more attractive than 5230. It is slimmer and has got a stainless steel lining along the border. Nokia 5230 has got the same old 5800 design.
Weight and Volume – 5530 is lighter and compact than 5230. 5530 weighs 107 g and its body volume is just 68 cc. On the other hand, 5230 weighs 115 g and it body volume is 83 cc.
Display – The screen resolution of Nokia 5230 and 5530 is same (360×640 Pixels), but 5530 has a smaller screen (2.9 inch) as compared to 5230 (3.2 inch)
Software – 5530 and 5230 are smartphones based on Symbian S60v5 Operating system and both have new improved homescreen and kinetic scrolling feature.
Hardware – Nokia 5230 and 5530 have same hardware which comprises of 434 MHz Processor (CPU) and 128 MB RAM
Memory – Nokia 5230 and 5530 has 70 MB of internal memory which can be expanded with Micro SD cards up tp 16 GB. Nokia 5530 has 4 GB memory card in sales package whereas 5230 has no memory card in sales package.
Connectivity – As i already told you, 5230 has all the connectivity options ( GPRS, EDGE, USB 2.0, Bluetooth, 3G and GPS), except Wifi. 5530 has Wifi but lacks 3G and GPS.
Audio – Nokia 5230 doesn’t belong to XpressMusic series, but still it delivers exceptional sound quality through earphones. 5230 speakers will however disappoint you. It has got Mono speakers unlike, 5530.
Video – The bigger display would be an added advantage for watching videos and movies on Nokia 5230.
Camera – Nokia 5230 has a 2MP Fixed Focus camera without flash, whereas 5530 has 3.2 MP Autofocus camera with LED Flash.
Additional Features – Both 5230 and 5530 has Accelerometer as additional feature and both lack TV Output which is present in Nokia 5800.
Battery - 5230 has a more powerful 1320 mAh battery with a rated music playback time of upto 33 hrs. Nokia 5530 has a 1000 mAh battery which offers music playback for up to 27 hrs.
Price – Nokia 5530 price may have gone down by now, but it launched for a price tag of $278. Unlocked Nokia 5230 is expected to cost around $200.
Sales Package – Nokia 5530 has a 4GB Micro SD card and USB data cable in the sales package. Both the things are missing from 5230 sales package.
Conclusion – Nokia 5530 offers better looks, better camera, better sales package and Wifi. Nokia 5230 is cheaper, and comes with 3G and GPS. Both are budget smartphones which offer good value for money. You can choose one based on your personal needs.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
I bought Nokia 5230 last week & these is what the in-box accessories:
1. Nokia plectrum
2. only 1 express-on cover with stylus attached to it
3. it has a USB data cable… i repeat, it has a USB data cable
4. last, the dealer added a moderate 2GB microSD card with adapter as a bonus
The USB data cable however is very short, more or less 10cm of cord’s length excluding the 2 connectors. The color of the plectrum is match from the color of the available cover. The available color of both plectrum & the in-box battery cover included in the package is RED.
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
@clowrid,
Thank you very much for the details. I got the info regarding sales package from official Nokia site.
http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-5230/specifications
January 19th, 2010 at 5:46 am
very comprehensive and modular review.. got all the answers in one shot!
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
sir if ur above information abt 5230 is true
than i think 5230 is better in thinking of budget …..
January 31st, 2010 at 5:16 pm
The review erroneously states at the end
Conclusion – Nokia 5530 offers better looks, better camera, better sales package and Wifi. Nokia 5230 is cheaper, and COMES WITH WIFI and GPS. Both are budget smartphones which offer good value for money. You can choose one based on your personal needs.
The Nokia 5230 does not come with WiFi!
January 31st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Thanks for bringing it to my notice.I’ve corrected it.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:01 am
nick..u read english??it says the nokia 5230 comes wit 3g n gps…nt wifi! we all know the 523o has no wifi..
February 8th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
The review was stated correctly at the end. You however have erroneously commented..
February 10th, 2010 at 4:00 am
well i think i’m gonna buy 5230.. i cant deny its big wide screen,
March 6th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Hi,,, My brother have 5530 and I am thinking to buy 5230 becoz I dont need wifi, good camera, 4gb mc. I need good phone and Nokia 5230 is nice budget phone
March 13th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Nice review. This pretty much sums it all up. I couldn’t find anywhere else on the net how much RAM this phone has.
I just bought a 5230 two days ago, because of its 3G and GPS features. I already had an iPod Touch, so I can do without the wifi on my cell phone. The Symbian interface of the 5230 feels very artificial compared to iPhoneOS. Nokia has a lot of work to do on that front (or I have to get used to the crappy user interface). So far I’m quite happy with it. For its budget it’s a good deal.
March 14th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
I like 5230, not 5530XM. It’s rubbish and ugly, in my opinion.
However, considering all Nokia’s smartphones, I think best is 5800XM. Older and more expensive, but with everything, without lacks.
But, if you don’t want money, I reccommend you to buy a N97. Still, 5800XM has a perfect quality/price relation!
It’s even better than iPhone, because it has support for all apps (like other phones), less price and everything, without any lack!
March 16th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I got nokia 5230 but it does not have document viewer but it is mentioned in nokia official website…..where to get free office:-).:)pls reply
March 25th, 2010 at 12:28 am
i’m looking for a decent easy to use touchscreen phone for my son after eading your reviews the 5230 is the way to go.. although after owning the n97 for a while now i’d rather get him the n95.. the best nokia i’ve ever owned.. i’d swap my 97 for a 95 8gb given half a chance!
definately sounds a great budget phone tho
thanks for your help
April 1st, 2010 at 2:19 pm
5530 is the best
you all say which is the best
tell me in the email
April 5th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
can 5800′s games play on 5530???,i confuse because the the 5530′s screen is 2.9 but 5800 is 3.2.
April 13th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I would really advise the 5230 over the 5530.
Since you get ovi maps for free you will always have navigation in your pocket with the 5230. The 5530 hasn;t got GPS so you can’t use ovi maps (or you would need an external bluetooth GPS receiver). The 5230 has a really good battery. Im a moderate user, internet, listening to music etc. and I only have to charge it once every two days. I live in the Netherlands and bought it for 140 Euro. Simlock free. But the package is really basic. I got the phone + battery, a handbook, a cord and a voucher for the Nokia music Store (10 Euro). So no USB data cable or covers etc.
The building quility is really good and the 3.5 mm headphone ability is great. When you have an unlimited data contract there’s not really a need for wifi anymore. So personally I really don’t care it doesn’t have wifi since it has 3G.
The camera doesn’t have autofocus so you can’t use Nokia’s augmented reality browser (like Layar). Because point and find needs autofocus in order focus and recognise things. Id say buy it!
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:47 pm
hi i have got nokia 5230, i wanted to take simlock. unfortunetly i can’t for security reasons. This will cost about 40£, I need to wait 3-4days. They need to send somwhere, can’t do it in shop. They said that in 1 month time price will go down, will be about 15£. I like this phone, is good one! good price, got from argos for 79.99£
May 7th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
i have nokia 5530 and is very good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 12th, 2010 at 12:27 am
nice. buy 5530 or 5230 depends on you.both are great but I’d rather 5530.the new model is great. I don’t know man. they are just good. 5800 is BETTER than an Iphone I’m pretty sure damn I can’t believe it.Iphone has a fu..ing useless bluetooth no multimedia messages.no flash.low quality camera.you can’t do things without cash ya know.buy this and this … to apple.but the multitouch screen is amazing n.n
May 13th, 2010 at 9:54 am
(VERY CONFUSING) Nokia 5530 and 5230 are good phones wi-fi is not very much important where 3G is important gps is useful but it is not in 5530 but 5530 have 3D surround sound speakers,where 5230 have unimpressive speakers,5530 have 2.9 inch screen and 5230 have 3.2 nHD screen,5230 camera is a 2mp phone without flash that camera comes with 2000 rupees phones like nokia 1680-c,another hand 5530 have nonbranded 3.2 mp camera with single led flash no carl zeiss optics
{{SO ANYBODY PLEASE HELP WHICH PHONE I BUY}}
May 16th, 2010 at 5:11 am
5530 and 5230 got msn or not?
May 25th, 2010 at 11:36 am
it depends on what type of a phone user you are. if the cpu and the RAM memory varied, then there would be a difference in the phones, otherwise they are alike..if u r into the camera, music, wifi go 4 5530, if u want value 4 ur money go 4 5230.
May 26th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I just bought the nokia 5530XM…. all i can say it ruled over 5230… from design and feature…. nokia developed the 5230 simply because anyone can’t afford to buy the 5530XM you have the 5230 as an alternative…
June 6th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
what is newer 5230 or 5800
June 11th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
the latest upgrade is NOKIA C6 for replacement of 5800/5530/5230, seemlessly on market in india next week but not sure …
June 11th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
i think 5530 is the best u have wifi and u can detect ur position by net so wifi and net =free positioning and if u are in aplace were there is no wifi u wont mind to pay some money to help u
June 18th, 2010 at 4:41 am
We all know who’s boss here..and it is (drum roll….) the Nokia 5230!!! BUY IT!! Who really needs wi-fi when you have 3G..and Ovi Maps!!! Ovi Maps!!!! Nuf said.
PS As for the camera, only vain females (lol!) need the 3.2Mp..my 5230 came with a 2GB card, the plectrum, manual, charger, headset..no USB cord or stylus..you can get those easily so hey!!!!! Gotta admit, the loudspeaker’s horrible..a really good headset or 3.5mm jack headphone will solve that though!!
July 17th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
hmm is it true for any of the phones that u need to plug in the headphones to ansfer a call?
July 19th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
We’ve found my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic cell to become the finest overall We have owned. Just wish it had a slide out qwerty keyboard! Anyway, it doesn’t so more than enough is more than enough. A great deal of folks whine regarding the camera, it does suck, but it is not that critical to me-I have a fantastic Canon SD950 camera if I want pics. I am genuinely please with how customizable it is and every one of the issues I can perform with it. Requires charging virtually daily when used a fair bit. Thinking about debranding it. Rogers (Canada) keeps factors very locked down plus the greatest fw I happen to be in a position to upgrade to is v30 (some thing like that can’t recall the exact number at the moment). Sounds like v40 has some very good characteristics I am missing out on.Well, glad I observed this forum, I hope to study a whole lot additional about what I can perform with my phone.