One of the world’s largest telecom operators Bharti Airtel is in advanced talks with handset makers to launch an ultra-affordable 4G Android smartphone at just Rs 2500. The company is pushing for a launch around the end of September or in early October during Diwali.
The device will be bundled with large amounts of data and voice minutes to counter what Jio is offering with its feature phone.
Also Read: Reliance AGM: Free Jio 4G VoLTE Feature Phone Launched
The 4G device will be co-promoted by Airtel but won’t subsidise the same. Also, the company will make the device compatible to support basic applications and will also allow users to download most apps from the Google Playstore.
There is a very high possibility that the phone will run on Android Go (similar to the earlier launched Android One) which is the lighter version of the latest Android O that was released by Google at its I/O keynote this year. The OS is meant for low-end Android smartphones.
According to a statement by senior officials at Bharti Airtel, they are in talks with some handset manufacturers to introduce a smartphone around Rs 2,500, which will have a bigger screen, better camera and better battery performance than what a feature phone could offer.
Interestingly, names of local handset makers like Lava and Karbonn have popped up, although nothing has been confirmed yet. This smartphone could turn out to be a big disruptor in the market and provide stiff challenge for the upcoming Jio Phone.
Considering the vast network of retail and distribution chain Airtel currently holds, a joint venture with India’s biggest mobile phone operator could turn out to be very lucrative.
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