Reliance Jio captured the entry-level smart feature phone market with JioPhone as the top-selling device till Q3 2019. However, the company lost its top spot as the most sold feature phone to Samsung, as per a Counterpoint Research report. It now seems like there is another device in the pipeline, which could revive Jio’s position in the feature phone segment. According to MySmartPrice’s sources, Jio is readying a new handset, which is devoid of internet connectivity and is reportedly called Jio Phone Lite. While the idea of any handset that doesn’t support internet connectivity seems absurd, it might just work out in tier II and tier III cities.
The Jio Phone Lite’s alleged pricing might be set below Rs 500 and the company might announce a new Rs 50 prepaid plan for it. The recharge option is said to offer free Jio to Jio plans that will be valid for 28 days and calling others would be chargeable. As for the handset’s specification, the device could feature an alphanumeric keyboard like the first JioPhone and is said to come equipped with a small display of unspecified size. Other specs of the device are not known yet. It is also said to be priced around Rs 400 and one possible price tag is Rs 399.
There is no information about the alleged Jio Phone Lite’s launch date. Jio is apparently surveying the device’s market reception with retailers so, it might not be long before the company makes the handset official. Reliance Jio coming up with a new feature phone that doesn’t sport internet connectivity may come as a surprise. However, considering how it can be helpful for a certain demographic and group of people, the idea could just pan out. This is just conjecture at this point of time and we will know more with certainty when the company officially announces the device, if it exists.