In another ambitious move, Reliance has introduced the Jio Bharat phone with a vision to connect over 250 million existing feature phone users to the internet. Priced at Rs 999, this 4G-enabled smart feature phone offers low-cost data plans, bundled with unlimited calls.
The Jio Bharat phone, coming in red and blue variants, looks like a regular feature phone but boasts a range of smart features. With this phone, users can make UPI payments through the JioPay app, watch movies and TV shows on Jio Cinema, and enjoy over 8 crore songs on the JioSaavn app. However, Jio hasn’t yet disclosed the operating system the phone runs on, leaving users to wonder if apps like WhatsApp can be installed.
For the Jio Bharat phone there are exclusive new Jio Bharat plans starting at Rs 123 for 28 days. This affordable recharge plan includes unlimited voice calls and 0.5 GB of data per day. For those who prefer an annual plan, Jio Bharat offers one at Rs 1,234, also providing 0.5 GB/day and unlimited voice calls.
Other brands, starting with Karbonn, will adopt the Jio Bharat platform to launch their own versions of Jio Bharat phones. The goal of this initiative is to bridge the digital divide by providing more 4G-enabled feature phones to the Indian market.
To assess the response to the product, beta trials for the first 1 million Jio Bharat phones will begin from July 7th, 2023, across 6,500 tehsils in India. The ultimate aim of this initiative is to upgrade existing 2G feature phone users, and provide them with affordable and accessible 4G services.
Also read: JioPhone 5G leaks: Could this be the phone that bridges our digital divide?
Two distinct models of the Jio Bharat phone will be released, one of which has been co-created with the Indian manufacturer Karbonn and called the Jio Bharat K1 Karbonn. This model sports a mix of red and black, with an old-school T9 keyboard, flashlight, and a rear camera, the specifications of which are yet to be disclosed.
The second iteration of the Jio Bharat phone, dubbed Jio Bharat V2, will be available in blue, reflecting the brand color of the company. This version features a rectangular camera design, a headphone jack, and seemingly offers the same suite of services as the Jio Bharat K1 Karbonn.
