Mumbai : Jio and Google on Friday announced ‘JioPhone Next’, the made-for-India smartphone jointly designed by the two companies, will be available in stores from Diwali. The affordable smartphone will be available across the country at Reliance Retail’s extensive network of JioMart Digital retail locations.
“This will be the most affordable smartphone anywhere in the world with an entry price of only ₹1,999 and the rest paid via easy EMI over 18/24 months. It can also be purchased upfront at Rs. 6499. A unique financing option like this is being introduced for the first time for a device in this category, making it accessible for a much wider set of consumers” a RIL press release said.
The JioPhone Next is run by Pragati OS, an optimized version of Android made for the JioPhone Next, which is tailored to deliver a simplified and delightful experience for users in India. Google and Jio have worked closely to create this OS that is aimed at addressing the unique needs of millions of smartphone users across the country. JioPhone Next will offer full functionality that one expects from a smartphone, with access to millions of apps available on the Play Store and comes with over the air updates support for new features, customization, security updates and more, which will continue to enhance the phone experience over time.
“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” Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries 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. It makes me proud to say that we are bridging the gap between ‘India’ and ‘Bharat, because ‘BHARAT’ Karega Digital Pragati – PRAGATI OS Ke Saath’ he added.
“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“Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet, said.