Beginning on July 7, 2023, the inaugural batch of Jio Bharat phones, consisting of around 1 million handsets, will be on sale.
Reliance Jio, the leading telecom operator in India, has announced the launch of the Jio Bharat 4G phone as part of its mission to drive the vision of a “2G-MUKT BHARAT” (2G-Free India). In collaboration with Karbonn and other brands in the future, Jio aims to introduce more affordable models on the ‘Jio Bharat platform’.
The initial batch of Jio Bharat phones, consisting of around 1 million units, will be available for purchase starting from July 7, 2023, at retail stores across the country. The Jio Bharat phone resembles a feature phone but is a smart 4G phone that comes with a keypad and bears the Bharat branding below the screen. It is equipped with a rear camera, and speakers, and supports various entertainment options like JioCinema, JioSaavn, and FM Radio. Users can enjoy unlimited calling within India, capture photos, and make UPI payments using JioPay.
There are two variants of the Jio Bharat phone, which can be identified by the brand logo on the rear cover. The “Jio” logo is displayed on one model, while the “Karbonn” emblem is displayed on the other. Blue and red are the two color options available to customers.
Reliance Jio unveiled new Jio Bharat plans with the phone launch, with prices ranging between Rs 123 and Rs 1234. The Rs 123 plan, which has a 28-day validity, provides a total of 14GB of data (0.5GB each day) and unlimited phone calls. 168GB of data (0.5GB per day) and unlimited calling features are included in the yearly Rs 1234 package. These programs have been created especially for customers who buy Jio-branded mobile devices.
There are two plans available for Jio Bharat phones that were released in partnership with other companies (currently Karbonn): the 28-day Rs 179 plan and the yearly Rs 1799 plan. The features of both plans are the same as those of the Jio Bharat plans.
The chairman of Reliance Jio, Akash Ambani, spoke on the need of closing the digital gap in India during the unveiling of the Jio Bharat phones. He emphasized that although the globe is on the verge of a 5G revolution, around 250 million mobile phone users in the nation are still constrained by the restrictions of 2G technology and unable to access basic internet functions.
The launch of the Jio Bharat phone seeks to give individuals who were left behind in the 2G era cheap connection and internet access, enabling them to make use of modern technologies. The Reliance Jio project supports the government of India’s efforts to create a society where everyone has access to the internet and its services.
Reliance Jio has launched the Jio Bharat phone for Rs 999, along with a new tariff plan.
Reliance Jio has made a significant step towards accelerating the transition from 2G to 4G networks across the nation by introducing the Jio Bharat device at an affordable price of Rs 999. This innovative feature phone is designed to offer economical access to the superior Jio 4G network, catering to customers who are still using 2G technology. The company has announced that the beta trial for the first one million Jio Bharat phones will commence on July 7, as stated in their press release.
Reliance Jio has introduced the Jio Bharat device as a crucial element in their vision of achieving a 2G-free India. This device aims to make internet-enabled phones accessible to the masses by combining advanced network capabilities with feature-rich devices. The Jio Bharat phone comes with a Rs 123 plan that is valid for 28 days, offering 14GB of data (0.5 GB per day), which the company claims is seven times higher than its competitors’ offerings. Alternatively, customers can opt for the annual plan priced at Rs 1,234, providing 168 GB of data (0.5 GB per day).
Reliance Jio Chairman, Akash Ambani, highlighted the fact that around 250 million mobile phone users in India are still “trapped” in the 2G era, unable to access basic internet features while the world is on the verge of a 5G revolution. He emphasized that Jio is committed to democratizing the internet and ensuring that every Indian can benefit from technology. The launch of the Jio Bharat phone is seen as another step towards fulfilling that mission.
When unboxing the Jio Bharat device, users will immediately notice its compact design and a 1.77-inch QVGA TFT screen. The package includes a removable 1000mAh battery for convenience. It’s important to mention that the device is locked to Jio SIM cards, requiring the insertion of a Jio SIM before use.
Upon powering on the device, users will find three pre-installed Jio apps in the menu. The first is JioCinema, an app offering a wide range of entertainment options such as web series, movies, HBO Originals, sports content, and TV shows. The second app is JioSaavn, India’s leading free music app, providing access to an extensive and exclusive music library. Lastly, the device includes JioPay, a UPI-based digital payments app.
The Jio Bharat phone also features a bright torch and a radio, making it particularly useful in remote and rural areas. It includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect earphones for content consumption or music listening. For capturing memories, the device is equipped with a 0.3MP camera. Additionally, users can expand the device’s storage capacity by inserting an SD card of up to 128GB.
The launch of the Jio Bharat phone is significant as competitors are increasing 2G tariffs, and affordable feature phones are not widely available. This offering from Reliance Jio arrives at a crucial time, facilitating the transition from 2G to 4G and empowering the masses with digital experiences.