HMD Asha 305 Officially Launches
Not every phone needs a huge screen, a powerful chip, or a price tag that makes your wallet cry. HMD, the company behind many of today’s Nokia-branded phones, understands that too. That’s why it just launched the HMD Asha 305 in the Philippines, a “lite smartphone” that sits comfortably between an old-school feature phone and a full Android device.
Priced at around $65 (PHP 3,990), the Asha 305 brings back a name that older phone users will instantly recognize. It’s simple, it’s affordable, and it comes packed with over 100 selected apps right out of the box. If you’re curious whether this budget-friendly revival is worth your money, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the HMD Asha 305, Exactly?
The HMD Asha 305 revives a name that first appeared back in 2012 on a simple touchscreen phone aimed at people who didn’t need a full smartphone experience. More than a decade later, HMD has brought the Asha branding back, but this time with 4G support, a bigger display, and a modern software layer built for basic daily use.
HMD is calling it a “lite smartphone,” a term meant to describe a device that offers more than a feature phone but intentionally skips the heavy features found on flagship or even mid-range Android phones. It’s designed for people who want to stay connected, message friends and family, and use a handful of essential apps, without the distraction of endless notifications, games, or social media scrolling. Think of it as a phone built for simplicity first, and everything else second.
Official device spec sheet
HMD Asha 305
Lite smartphone · Philippines listing
Price
$65
5.0″
Display
2GB / 16GB
RAM / Storage
2,500mAh
Removable battery
100+
Preloaded apps
The HMD Asha 305 revives a classic name as a “lite smartphone” built to sit between a basic feature phone and a full Android device. It runs Pulse OS, a lightweight system based on the Android Open Source Project, with a curated set of over 100 apps instead of the full Google Play Store.
It’s designed for simple daily use: calls, texts, light browsing, and a handful of essential apps, without the distraction of a heavy Android experience. A removable battery and a 3.5mm headphone jack round out its back-to-basics approach.
- Preloaded with Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite, WhatsApp, TikTok Lite and YouTube
- Dual 4G SIM support with Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth 4.2
- Removable 2,500mAh battery rated for up to 32 hours standby
- Available now in the Philippines in two colors, Gray and Green
| Chipset | Unisoc T137, quad-core 1.4GHz |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 |
| Operating system | Pulse OS (based on Android AOSP) |
| Display | 5.0-inch LCD, 480 x 854px, ~196 ppi |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Rear camera | 2MP with LED flash |
| Front camera | 2MP |
| Battery | 2,500mAh, removable |
| Connectivity | Dual 4G SIM, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm jack |
| Colors | Gray, Green |
| Fingerprint sensor | Not available |
| Price | Approximately $65 (PHP 3,990) |
The Asha 305 isn’t built to compete on specs. It’s aimed at buyers who care more about simplicity, battery swapping and a low price than raw performance.
- First-time smartphone users who mainly need WhatsApp and Facebook
- Parents choosing a starter phone with fewer distractions for a child
- Buyers who want a reliable backup phone with a swappable battery
- Anyone who mostly calls, texts and uses a few essential apps
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Design and Display: Simple but Functional
The Asha 305 keeps things basic when it comes to looks. It comes in two color options and has a compact, lightweight body that should feel familiar if you've ever used an entry-level Nokia phone. The removable battery is a nice touch here, since most modern phones have sealed batteries that can't be swapped out when they wear down.
Up front, you get a 5-inch LCD with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, which works out to roughly 196 pixels per inch. That's a low-resolution panel by today's standards, so don't expect sharp text or vivid colors. However, for basic tasks like reading messages, browsing simple apps, or making video calls, it should get the job done without much fuss. This isn't a phone for streaming movies or gaming, and HMD isn't pretending otherwise.
Internals and Software: Built for Basics, Not Speed
Under the hood, the phone runs on a Unisoc T137 chipset paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. These numbers are on the lower end even for budget phones, so multitasking or running heavy apps isn't really the point here. The chip is built to handle calls, texts, light browsing, and lightweight versions of popular apps without draining the battery too fast.
On the software side, the Asha 305 runs Pulse OS, a lightweight operating system built on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Instead of the full Google Play Store experience, the phone comes preloaded with more than 100 selected apps through its own curated platform. This includes lighter versions of popular apps that are optimized to use less data and less storage, which makes sense on a device with only 16GB of onboard space.
Which Apps Come Preinstalled?
One of the biggest selling points of the Asha 305 is the app selection. Instead of leaving you to download everything yourself, HMD has bundled in the apps most people actually use every day. This saves storage space and data usage, since many of these are "Lite" versions built for low-end hardware.
Here are some of the notable apps included on the device:
- Facebook Lite
- Instagram Lite
- TikTok Lite
- YouTube
- Basic communication and utility apps for everyday use
Because the phone skips full Google Mobile Services in favor of this curated app system, it's a very different experience from a typical Android phone. You won't find the entire Play Store here, but for many users, the essentials are already covered.
Camera Performance: Don't Expect Too Much
Photography clearly isn't the focus of the HMD Asha 305, and that's fine given its price point. The rear camera is a 2MP sensor with an LED flash, while the front camera is also 2MP for selfies and video calls. Both cameras support basic video recording as well.
These specs are modest even for a budget phone, and photos taken in low light will likely look grainy or soft. That said, for quick snapshots to send over WhatsApp or Facebook, or for the occasional video call with family, the cameras should be functional enough. If photography quality is a priority for you, this isn't the device to look at, but that's not really who HMD built it for anyway.
Battery Life and What's in the Box
The Asha 305 packs a 2,500mAh removable battery, and HMD claims it can deliver up to 32 hours of standby time. While that number applies to standby rather than active use, it still points to a phone built to last through the day without needing frequent charging, especially since the low-resolution display and modest chipset don't draw much power.
The retail package is straightforward and includes the phone itself, the removable battery, a USB Type-C charging cable, and a wall charger. Having a swappable battery also means users can carry a spare and swap it out instead of waiting around for a recharge, which is a handy feature that's becoming rare on newer phones.
Connectivity Features You Get
Despite its budget pricing, the Asha 305 doesn't skimp entirely on connectivity. It supports dual 4G SIM cards, so you can use two numbers on one device, which is common and practical in many markets, including the Philippines.
Here's a quick rundown of what's included:
- Dual 4G SIM support for two active numbers
- Wi-Fi for browsing and app updates without using mobile data
- GPS for basic location and navigation needs
- Bluetooth 4.2 for connecting to headphones or speakers
- A 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature many modern phones have dropped
That headphone jack alone might be a deciding factor for buyers who still prefer wired earphones over Bluetooth ones.
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HMD Asha 305 Full Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Unisoc T137, Quad-core 1.4GHz |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 |
| Operating System | Pulse OS (based on Android AOSP) |
| Display | 5.0-inch LCD, 480 x 854 pixels, ~196 ppi |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Rear Camera | 2MP with LED flash |
| Front Camera | 2MP |
| Battery | 2,500mAh, removable |
| Connectivity | Dual 4G SIM, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm jack |
| Colors | Gray, Green |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Not available |
| Price | Approximately $65 (PHP 3,990) |
How Does It Compare to a Typical Budget Smartphone?
To understand where the Asha 305 fits in the market, it helps to compare it against a typical entry-level Android smartphone that usually costs a bit more but offers noticeably better performance and features.
| Feature | HMD Asha 305 | Typical Budget Android Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$65 | $100 to $150 |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB or more |
| Storage | 16GB | 64GB or more |
| App Access | 100+ curated apps | Full Google Play Store |
| Camera | 2MP rear / 2MP front | 13MP+ rear cameras |
| Battery | 2,500mAh removable | 4,000mAh+ sealed |
| Target User | Basic communication, minimal distraction | General smartphone use, apps, gaming |
This comparison makes it clear that the Asha 305 isn't trying to compete on specs. It's aimed at a specific type of buyer who values simplicity, affordability, and a longer-lasting, swappable battery over raw performance.
Who Should Actually Buy This Phone?
The HMD Asha 305 isn't for everyone, and that's by design. It's best suited for a few specific types of buyers who have different priorities than the average smartphone shopper.
- First-time smartphone users, including elderly family members who want simple access to WhatsApp and Facebook without a complicated interface
- Parents looking for a starter phone for a child or teenager, with fewer distractions and less exposure to heavy social media or gaming apps
- Backup phone buyers who want a reliable secondary device with a removable battery for emergencies or travel
- Budget-conscious buyers who mainly use a phone for calls, texts, and a few essential apps rather than gaming or high-end photography
If you fall into any of these groups, the Asha 305 could genuinely make sense. But if you're someone who streams video, plays games, or takes a lot of photos, you'll likely find the hardware too limiting for daily use.
Conclusion
The HMD Asha 305 isn't trying to be a flagship killer or even a mid-range competitor. It's a back-to-basics phone that brings a nostalgic name into the 4G era, with a removable battery, a curated app experience, and a price that undercuts nearly every other smartphone on the market today. For the right buyer, whether that's a first-time user, a parent, or someone who simply wants a reliable backup device, the Asha 305 delivers exactly what it promises: simplicity without a big price tag. Just don't expect it to keep up with modern smartphones when it comes to speed, storage, or camera quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the price of the HMD Asha 305? The HMD Asha 305 is priced at around $65, which is approximately PHP 3,990 in the Philippines. It may become available in other markets soon.
2. Does the HMD Asha 305 support WhatsApp and Facebook? Yes, it comes preinstalled with WhatsApp, Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite, TikTok Lite, and YouTube among its 100+ selected apps.
3. Can I use two SIM cards in the HMD Asha 305? Yes, the phone supports dual 4G SIM cards, allowing you to use two active phone numbers at once.
4. Is the battery on the HMD Asha 305 removable? Yes, it has a 2,500mAh removable battery, which lets you swap in a spare battery instead of waiting to recharge.
5. Does the HMD Asha 305 have access to the full Google Play Store? No, instead of the full Play Store, it uses Pulse OS with a curated selection of over 100 apps designed for lightweight, everyday use.
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