Reliance Industries Limited in its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday launched its 4G-feature phone named JioPhone, which is being offered for free.
Mukesh Ambani, while addressing the AGM, further informed that though the phone doesn't cost anything, the buyers will have to submit a deposit of Rs 1,500 which will be refunded to the customer after three years from the date of purchase.
#RILat40
...we plan to collect a fully refundable, one-time, security deposit of Rs 1,500 with every #JioPhone: Mukesh Ambani— Reliance Jio (@reliancejio) July 21, 2017
But how does JioPhone compare with its competitors when it comes to specifications?
As announced, JioPhone has many quality features that further blur the line between smartphones and powerful feature phones.
The phone boasts a 2.4-inch QVGA display, an SD card slot, flashlight, camera among other basic features.
Also Read: RIL AGM - Reliance launches JioPhone, for Rs 0
Keeping the price factor away, we try to analyse what JioPhone's nearest competitors have on offer.
Nokia 105
One of the cheapest available feature phone right now Nokia 105 priced at Rs 999 has good build quality. The 800 mAh battery which the company claims will provide more than 15 hours of talk time. Unfortunately, the phone doesn't have an internet browser.
Micromax Bharat 1
Yet to launch, Micromax Bharat 1 will be a 4G VoLTE-enabled phone priced at 1,999. It will have a Java based operating system and it has GPRS for internet browsing.
Samsung Guru Music 2With a two-inch TFT display, an expandable memory up to 16 GB and other basic features the Samsung Guru Music 2 can be a worthy contender if you are not looking for a 4G phone or internet browsing.
Panasonic GD25c
Panasonic's GD25c is packed with features. The dual SIM phone supports both GSM and CDMA and is available at multiple e-commerce websites between Rs 1,500 - Rs 2000. It has a 1.3MP primary camera with video recording, a 2.4-inch (6.0 centimetres) QVGA TFT display with 320 x 240 pixels resolution. Its memory is expandable up to 16GB and it has a 1250mAH lithium-ion battery.
JioPhone's launch may lead to a creation of a new segment of reinforced feature phones. Its features like voice search and voice command, advanced NFC support - enabling digital payments are some never-before seen features in a basic phone.
Reliance Lyf also offers some cheap 4G smartphones like Lyf Flame 6 below Rs 3,000, but most of the other cheapest 4G phones available today are priced at more than 4,000.
Currently, there are no other feature phones that offer 4G connectivity to the users.
Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
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