Phones that compete neck to neck with Reliance JioPhone

Mukesh Ambani led company not only disrupted the telecom world with the launch of Reliance Jio last year but achieved a similar feat this year with its JioPhone. The 4G enabled feature phone comes at an effective price of Rs 0 wherein the user can use the mobile phone for 36 months and then return it to claim his security deposit of Rs 1,500.

However, the most interesting aspect about the JioPhone is not its cost or its features but the fact that feature phones have once again become hot property. Not just that, in the best interest of consumers, companies are now offering even their smartphones at the price of a feature phone.

Here's a look at all the mobile phones that are competing neck-to-neck with Reliance JioPhone both in terms of price and specs.

1. Bharat-1

Referred to as the “pataka phone,” Bharat-1 is a Micromax feature phone launched in partnership with BSNL. Priced at Rs 2,200, the phone comes bundled with a Rs 97 BSNL Unlimited Plan, in which users get unlimited calling hours, unlimited data, free roaming and free SMS, with one-month validity.

The device packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset with 512MB RAM and 4GB ROM and provision for 4G VoLTE. On the back is a 2-megapixel camera, and a VGA shooter in front. It is powered by a 2000mAh battery. The dual-SIM handset supports 22 local languages and provides buyers access to 100 live TV channels.

2. Bharat 2 Ultra

Micromax recently teamed up with Vodafone to launch Bharat 2 Ultra at an effective price of Rs 999. Bharat 2 Ultra is powered by Spreadtrum SC9832  1.3Ghz Quad Core processor with 512MB RAM and 4GB internal memory. The device features a 4-inch WVGA display and has a 2 Megapixel rear camera with a 0.3 Megapixel front camera.

The handset runs on Android Marshmallow with 1300 mAh battery and supports full video viewing, social networking, and chat apps to give a complete smartphone experience to users. To avail this offer, one will have to buy the smartphone at Rs 2,899 and will have to recharge their new or existing Vodafone numbers with a minimum denomination of Rs 150 every month for three years.

The buyer will then get a cashback of Rs 900 at the end of 18 months and a cash back or Rs 1,000 after the next 18 months in his/her Vodafone “M-Pesa” wallet, thereby making the effective price of the handset Rs 999.

3. Intex Turbo+

Intex Turbo+ 4G is a Rs 1999 phone with a 2.4-inch QVGA display and it runs KaiOS software. The feature phone is powered by a dual-core processor coupled with 512MB of RAM. On the camera front, the Intex Turbo+ 4G comes with a 2-megapixel primary rear camera and a front VGA camera for taking selfies. The Intex Turbo+ 4G has a 2000mAh battery and comes with 4GB built-in storage, which is expandable up to 32GB.

4. Celkon Smart 4G

Though the market price of Celkon Smart 4G is approx. Rs 3,500, currently, you could buy this full touchscreen 4G smartphone at an effective price of just Rs 1,349. Under Airtel’s ‘Mera Pehla Smartphone’ initiative, Celkon’s Android powered 4G smartphone is being offered at a price of a feature phone.

The device has a four inch touchscreen, dual SIM slots and FM radio. Additionally, you get full access to all apps on Google Play Store, including YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp. The device will also come preloaded with MyAirtel App, Wynk Music and Airtel TV to add to the online experience of customers. To know more about the offer, please read: Airtel partners Celkon to offer 4G smartphone at an effective price of Rs 1,349

5. Karbonn A40 Indian

Airtel in collaboration with Karbonn has launched the Karbonn A40 Indian, effectively priced at Rs 1,349. The smartphone is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage which is expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card. The dual-SIM phone supports 4G VoLTE as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi b/g/n, and FM radio. However, USB-OTG isn’t supported and neither is GPS.

Airtel is offering the new handset at an effective price of Rs 1,399 while the actual price of the handset is around Rs 3,500. The smartphone will be sold to consumers for a down payment of Rs 2,899, on which Airtel will give cash back of Rs 1,500 over three years on the condition that consumers recharge their phones with a minimum pack of Rs 169 every month. The recharge will offer unlimited voice calls and 500 MB data every day.