The JioPhone Next 4G Smartphone: Price, Release date & Features
The much-awaited Jio Phone Next, a budget Android smartphone developed by Jio in collaboration with Google went on sale this month. Technology enthusiasts in India and around the world were excited for the launch of a budget smartphone as it may take them deeper into the uncapped Indian market. Due to the affordability of smartphones and internet connectivity, India has seen a huge rise in smartphone users in the rural regions as more people are now using online services than five years ago. It can also be featured in our previous post, top 6 smartphones under Rs 15,000 in India.
To purchase the Jio Next smartphone, interested buyers will need to register their interest in it with the company using any of the available three platforms. The Jio Next smartphone runs Pragati OS, a lightweight operating system that is powered by an optimized version of Android with other custom features. One of the best features is text translation on the screen to 10 Indian languages. The Jio Next smartphone price in India is Rs 6.499 for a one-time payment. Jio has also offered 18/24 months EMI options by making a down payment of Rs 1,999.
Jio Next Smartphone Specifications
The Jio Phone Next comes with a decent 5.45-inch HD+ display along with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor with 2GB RAM. Included with the Jio NEXT smartphone is 32GB inbuilt storage (expandable up to 512GB) using a dedicated microSD card. In terms of camera, the Jio Next Smartphone has an 8MP selfie camera along with a decent 13MP rear camera.
When we talk about the battery, the smartphone has a 3,500mAh battery which can be charged using a micro USB port. The Jio Next Smartphone has a Dual-SIM slot with 4G connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.1, micro USB, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack. There are multiple sensors available on the Jio Next phone like accelerometer, light sensor, and proximity sensor. The only thing missing is the gyroscope sensor, which is typically not expected from a budget smartphone.
How to purchase Jio Next Smartphone?
To purchase a Jio Next smartphone, you will need to go to the official Jio website and register your interest. It is a simple process which is as under:
- Head to the official Jio website and register using your name and mobile number.
- The next step is to enter your OTP, after that, you can choose your location and address.
- Depending on your location, Jio will inform you about the availability of the Jio Next smartphone at a partner store near you so you can make the payment and pick up.
Moreover, you can also show your interest in using WhatsApp by following the steps below:
- Send a “Hi” to +91 70182-70182 on WhatsApp.
- After receiving a message from Jio, click on the Confirm Interest option.
- Once it is done, you will be asked to enter your name.
- The next step is to share your current location. Depending on the location, Jio will inform you if a partner retail store has a device available which can be picked up.
Additionally, there are offline retail stores where you can go and order your Jio Next smartphone over the counter.
4 Things to Know about the Jio Next Smartphone
We understand that you must be excited about the Jio Next smartphone and would like to lay your hands on it as soon as possible. However, before doing so, we would recommend you to consider the following points before you make your decision.
Expected Price was Rs 3,499
There were rumours that the Jio Next smartphone could be priced in India at an introductory price of Rs 3,499. It was in line with Mr Mukesh Ambani’s claim of the cheapest 4G smartphone and previous products from the brand. The Jio Phone and Jio Phone 2 were both priced at Rs 3,000, and in 2016, Jio’s parent company launched 4G smartphones under the Lyf brand starting from Rs 2,999. Interestingly, the Lyf smartphones did not offer a variety of features expected from smartphones including Google Play Store support. This is not the case with the Jio Next smartphones as it is backed by Google. Now, it is said that the brand will be selling the Jio Phone Next in India with an introductory price of Rs 6,499. It is almost double the price than the earlier flagship Jio phones and more than the expected price even when it is backed by Google.
Cheapest 4G smartphone in India? Not really.
Samsung Galaxy M01 Core beats the Jio Next Smartphone to be the cheapest 4G smartphone in India. Interestingly, the Samsung Galaxy M01 Core smartphone is available in India for Rs 4,999. The Samsung Galaxy smartphone is available in two models, and even the top model which comes with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage is priced lower than the Jio Next smartphone. It is available on Reliance Digital and Amazon at Rs 6,199.
The Samsung Galaxy M01 specifications include MediaTek 6739 chipset, compared with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 SoC on the Jio Next smartphone. Samsung Galaxy device has a 5.3-inch HD+LCD screen, a 3,000mAh battery, and an 8MP rear-facing camera. It comes with a 5MP front camera for selfies and video calling. The smartphone runs Android Go 10 with Samsung’s custom experience.
Many Options at the Same Price
The Jio Next smartphone was exciting if it was priced under Rs 4,000 as it includes a 5.4-inch HD+LCP display, Snapdragon 215 SoC, 2GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, 13MP primary sensor, 8MP selfie camera, a 3,500mAh battery, and standard connectivity options. On the software front, the Jio Next smartphone runs Pragati OS which is new for the smartphone world.
We are yet to get our hands on the Jio Next smartphone, but by the looks of it, the specifications are decent for Rs 6,499. There are many options available in the same price range which offer better features than the Jio Next smartphone-like Realme C11, Redmi 9A, and Infinix Smart 5A. In fact, these smartphones can be termed one step ahead of the Jio Next smartphone.
Bonus for Jio Users
It is important to note that the Jio Next will work well with a Jio sim. The smartphone has dual SIM slots and we think the primary SIM will be dedicated to Jio. The secondary slot could be used for Airtel, Vi, and other SIMs with a few limitations. A drawback with the Jio Phone 2 was that it provided only 2G connectivity with the secondary SIM card.
Moreover, Jio is offering the Jio Next smartphone with a downpayment of Rs 1,999. The balance has to be paid through easy EMI over 18 or 24 months. The EMI plans are bundled with voice calls and 4G data benefits available only to Jio users.
Final Word
As you have read in the post above, the Jio Next smartphone will be available for Rs 6,499. However, this is only for a one-time payment. It is possible to purchase the smartphone on easy EMIs after making an initial payment of Rs 1,999. The EMIs will be accepted in the form of recharges for the smartphone along with the calling and data packs. You can choose from a list of four recharge options. Apart from this, there will be a processing fee of Rs 501. If you fail to make the payments, the phone will be locked by Jio for further use. We feel it is a great option to buy for Jio users as it offers a range of benefits. What do you think about the Jio Next smartphone? Do you think there are better options in the Indian market for Rs 6,499? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Keval Padia is the founder & CEO of Nimblechapps, a fast-growing mobile app development company. The current innovation and updates of the field lures him to express his views and thoughts on certain topics.