The much-anticipated budget smartphone – JioPhone Next is finally on the verge of fruition. According to the Indian telecom network Jio Platforms which made clear on Friday that Google – Jio partnership regarding the subject smartphone specifically designed for the Indian market will go on sale in the world’s second-largest smartphone market on November 4th. while adding that the subject phone will cost 6,499 rupees ($87) while noting that it can also be purchased in multiple instalments precisely with an entry price as low as $27.
To ensure it delivers accordingly, the smartphone is designed to run Pragati OS, understood to be powered by an “extremely optimized” Android mobile operating system packed with a range of customized features like the Translate Now and Read Aloud which promises to work with any text on the phone screen, this also includes web pages, messages, apps, and photos, in addition, to support for 10 Indian languages, which meant specifically for the market.
In view of this, ‘Mukesh Ambani’ the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, which also operates Jio Platform said:
“Among the many rich features of JioPhone Next, the one that has impressed me the most – and one that will empower common Indians the most and take their digital journeys to the next level – is its contribution to India’s linguistic integration. India’s unique strength is our linguistic diversity. Those Indians who might not be able to read content in English or in their language can get it translated, and even read out, in their own language on this smart device”.
Both companies have confirmed the specifications of the smartphone, noting that the subject smartphone will feature a 5.45-inch HD+ display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The device will be powered by Qualcomm’s quad-core QM-215 chipset that clocks up to 1.3GHz, in addition to 2GB of RAM and 32GB internal storage, yet expandable. Further on this, is its dual-SIM capability, structured to house a 3,500 mAh battery, which also features a 13-megapixel rear camera with support for HDR packed with an 8-megapixel selfie sensor.
Going forward, it should be noted that this partnership is also viewed as Google’s latest attempt in reaching the masses resident in developing markets, and this is also clear owing to the fact that the Android giant has launched a number of programs over the past decades, that include Android One to deliver budget smartphones with improved user experience. In preparedness for the latest, Google chief executive ‘Sundar Pichai’ had noted in an event held in 2017 that many markets like India need phones at a price point of $30, typically for mass adoption.
“The JioPhone Next is an affordable smartphone designed for India, inspired by the belief that everyone in India should benefit from the opportunities the internet creates. To build it, our teams had to work together to solve complex engineering and design challenges, and I’m excited to see how millions of people will use these devices to better their lives and communities”, Google’s chief executive Pichai said in a statement Friday.
Prior to analysts’ anticipation, it should be known that the subject smartphone was scheduled to be launched in the second week of September, but was delayed due to a global chip shortage. However, the device is aimed at helping about 300 million users in India that are still on a 2G network to upgrade their devices in order to access a faster network, as Ambani had pointed in an event held earlier this year.
“I am delighted that Google and Jio teams have succeeded in bringing this breakthrough device to Indian consumers in time for the festival season, inspite of the current global supply chain challenges caused by the Covid pandemic. I have always been a firm believer in the power of the Digital Revolution to enrich, enable and empower the lives of 1.35 billion Indians. We have done it in the past with connectivity. Now we are enabling it again with a smartphone device”, Ambani stated on Friday.
Moreover, analysts had anticipated in recent months that the subject smartphone could disrupt the Indian smartphone market, while helping the telecom network in the world’s second-largest smartphone market, having amassed more than 400 million subscribers in addition to fundraised from a number of investors that include Facebook and Google, further solidify its dominance in India.
- What does this make for Android & developing markets!
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