Technology: Nokia unveils budget phone with 48 DAYS of standby battery life

Nokia has revealed a budget phone with a 48 day standby time.

The low-income smartphone: Nokia says it's aiming to make 'high-end design and quality accessible to more people' with the launch of its new Asha 501, 1200 mAh battery and accompanying software platform

The Asha 501 is aimed at people who cannot afford a smartphone, but want to upgrade.

Nokia has worked with developers such as Facebook and Twitter to make apps for the phone.

It offers 17 hours of talk time, 56 hours of music playback and 48 days of standby time on 2G networks, the Finland based phone manufacturer says.

'The new Nokia Asha 501 raises the bar for what is possible in affordable smartphone design and optimisation,' said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. 

'The synergy between the physical design and the engine that is the new Asha platform has created a smartphone with both style and substance at a great price.

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It comes as Apple is believed to be preparing a budget version of its iPhone with a plastic case, which could go on sale later this year according to some reports.