JioPhone Next in partnership with Google launched in India

Jio launched a smartphone called JioPhone Next in partnership with google. The phone was announced on 24th June during annual meeting of Reliance and was expected to arrive on 10th September. However, launch was delayed due to Semiconductor shortage and now it is expected to hit the market on 4th November.

JioPhone Next runs on customized Android called Pragati OS which is similar to Android GO launched by Google in 2017. It has quad-core processor coupled with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB storage which can be expanded up to 512 GB with MicroSD card. It has Bluetooth v4.10, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G connectivity.

Smartphone is aimed to upgrade mass using feature phones and is priced accordingly at ₹6499. It can be purchased on EMI with down payment of just 1999/- with monthly installment of just ₹300.

The price is bit higher than expected and also, we have smartphone for 7k from reputed brands already in market. At the time of writing this article, Realme Narzo 50i is being sold at 7k (with coupon) on Amazon with similar features. It even looks 10 times better than JioPhone NEXT. Other brands will soon catch-up with this small price difference and compete against Jio. Well, every competition is appreciated in which the consumer is benefited.

JioPhone Next would have made more sense below 5k segment. We will just have to wait for the response of Indian consumer to this new step taken by Jio towards digital India.