JioPhone Next Archives - Gizmochina

Here’s how to snap up the JioPhone Next smartphone in India

Jed John Ikoba — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 18:20:31 +0000

Reliance Jio last week announced the much-anticipated JioPhone Next smartphone, an entry-level Android smartphone custom-built for the Indian market in partnership with Google. It has a very affordable Rs. 6,499 ($88) price tag for the Indian market and some flexible payment plans are available to take care of a broad segment of the low-end smartphone market. The phone is now up for reservation in India.

To get the JioPhone Next, the potential buyer must first register his particulars including his email address mobile phone number on Reliance’s official website. You can also reserve a JioPhone Next unit by sending a WhatsApp Hi message to the official JioMart Digital Offers number. The steps also involve getting a personal key for getting your JioPhone Next delivered to you or collected at one of the Reliance Stores across the subcontinent. To boot, there is a limited offer available for free delivery of the device.

Several monthly installment plans are available for the JioPhone Next and they are some very flexible offers that are bound to fire the enthusiasm of potential buyers in India. There are also gift data and free talk-time minutes available when the monthly installments are paid up to 24 months. If the buyer is interested in full one-off payment, then the JioPhone Next will cost Rs. 6,499 ($88).

To recall, the JioPhone Next packs a 5.45-inch LCD with HD+ resolution. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 chipset with 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage. The pretty low storage is expandable via the microSD card. It has a 13MP rear camera together with an 8MP front cam. The JioPhone Next runs on the Pragati OS, which is an optimized Android OS, and it comes with a 3,500mAh battery that is charged via the phone’s MicroUSB port.

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All You Need to Know About Pragati OS – Android Go(ing) forward

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 17:31:31 +0000

Pragati OS is a new operating system developed by Reliance Jio and Google. The Android-based operating system has made its debut on the JioPhone Next, an entry-level smartphone from Jio. If you are wondering what’s new about this operating system that brings to mind Android Go, then this post should answer the questions you may have.

A short history of Android Go

In December 2017, Google announced Android Oreo Go Edition as a lighter version of Android Oreo built specifically for entry-level smartphones. Since then, the launch of a new Android operating system has brought along a “Go Edition” for entry-level phones. Though we are still waiting for the launch of Android 12 Go Edition.

Following the unveiling of Android Oreo Go Edition, several manufacturers including Nokia, Alcatel, Samsung, Lenovo, and Xiaomi (Redmi), announced phones and even tablets that are powered by this lightweight version of Android. While most of these devices do not have any form of software customization that distinguishes them from one another, a few manufacturers have launched their own Android Go phones with customizations. The Samsung J2 Core and Huawei Y5 Lite (2018) are examples as both phones run Android Go but with a layer of Experience UX and EMUI on top respectively.

This customization brings us to Pragati OS, the operating system that powers the JioPhone Next, an entry-level smartphone made by India’s Reliance Jio in collaboration with Google.

Pragati OS – Android Go(ing) forward

Pragati OS is making its debut on the JioPhone Next, the new entry-level smartphone from India’s telecommunications giant, Reliance Jio. According to a blog post by Google, Pragati OS is an “optimized version of Android” “ customized to deliver a great smartphone experience to users in India.”

While Google and Reliance Jio are touting Pragati OS as a new operating system, the features it brings are directly carried over from Android Go or “optimized” versions of these features. Thus, it won’t be far-fetched to say that Pragati OS is the future of Android Go, going forward, at least for India.

Features of Pragati OS

While Google and Reliance Jio are being careful not to call Pragati OS a customized version of Android (11) Go (Edition), unboxing and early impressions video of the JioPhone Next show that Android Go is pretty much under the hood and even visible on the surface.

Not only does the phone ship with Android Go apps such as Google Go, Assistant Go, Gallery Go, and Camera Go, all of which are apps specially launched for Android Go, its key software features have also been borrowed from Android Go but alongside the apps, they have been fine-tuned for the Indian market.

For example, Google Assistant Go now has support for multiple Indian languages on the JioPhone Next. Users will be able to interact with the phone in multiple supported Indian languages and get a response in the same language.

The Google Go app will also translate supported pages to a supported Indian language and also read them aloud while the Camera Go app has a Snapchat integration with India-centric filters and Google Lens integration for translation. There is also HDR, Night Mode, and Portrait Mode. Since this is a Jio smartphone, there are pre-installed Jio apps too.

Will Pragati OS power non-Jio phones?

Pragati OS is jointly developed by Google and Jio, so it is expected that it will only be found on Jio smartphones.

Conclusion

It is clear that Pragati OS is practically Android Go with extra features for the Indian market even if the manufacturer doesn’t say so. That’s not a bad thing but there are not a lot of features that make this stand out from a regular Android Go phone. So those who opt for an Android Go phone from another manufacturer won’t be missing out on much.

There is the promise of frequent updates for the JioPhone Next, so maybe there is a chance these updates may bring more customizations and exclusive features that will help it further differ from Android Go.

JioPhone Next unveiled in India with a Snapdragon 215 chip for Rs. 6499 (~$86)

Jed John Ikoba — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:19:04 +0000

Reliance Jio has finally announced the much-anticipated JioPhone Next smartphone. The device is a budget smartphone designed in partnership with Google. The budget smartphone has been a long time coming but the launch has been marred by several delays. The device doesn’t disappoint though, as it comes with an amazing price tag – Rs. 6499 (~$86).

The JioPhone Next is priced at Rs. 6499 (~$86) and will be released ahead of Diwali. Reliance is even offering enthusiastic buyers the chance to get it via installment payment with a down payment of Rs. 1,999 (~$27) with the remaining balance spread across several months. While there is no definitive release date, an official statement indicates that it will be available across JioMart Digital’s 30,000 retail outlets.

Speaking of the specifications, the JioPhone Next sports a 5.45-inch display with an HD+ resolution. The device uses wide bezels at the top and bottom edges where the 8MP selfie camera is embedded. At the rear aspect, there is also a single 13MP camera with an LED flash.

The Jio Next is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor paired with 2GB of RAM. There is 32GB of internal storage but there is no indication if the storage is expandable. To keep the lights on is a decent 3,500mAh battery. The phone comes with dual-SIM support and 4G LTE.

It runs on a custom Pragati OS which Reliance says is an optimized Android fork. The phone comes with a Translate Now, Read Aloud feature, built-in camera optimizations including Portrait mode, Night mode as well as Google Voice assistant support.

JioPhone Next entry-level smartphone confirmed to run Android-based Pragati OS

Jeet — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 10:29:35 +0000

JioPhone Next, a new budget smartphone from Reliance Jio, made in partnership with Google, is expected to be made available in the Indian market around Diwali. This means that the official launch could be just days away.

Ahead of the launch, the company has released a video titled “Making of JioPhone Next” which reveals some of the key details of the smartphone, including the software that will be running the device.

It has now been confirmed that the JioPhone Next will be running Pragati OS. It is a new operating system built on top of Android in partnership with Google and comes with a host of features to cater to entry-level smartphone customers.

Reliance says that Pragati OS has been built specifically for India. In a statement, the company said: “It has been engineered by best minds at Jio and Google with an objective to bring Pragati for all while offering truly seamless experience at affordable cost.”

It has also been confirmed that the smartphone will come powered by a Qualcomm chipset but specific details haven’t been revealed yet. The device will also come with a Voice Assistant to help users operate the device and get information easily from the internet.

There will also be a “Translate” feature that will let users have any screen translated to a language of their choice. In the camera department, the JioPhone will come with a “smart and powerful camera,” which is likely to be a 13-megapixel sensor.

It will support multiple photography modes such as portrait mode, night mode, and more. Users will also get “custom Indian augmented reality filters” to enhance the pictures by associating them with “emotions and festivities.”

A recent leak of the phone through Google Play Console listing reveals that it will feature an HD display with a screen resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. It will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 SoC. It may be offered in two variants — 2GB RAM with 16GB storage and 3GB RAM with 32GB storage.

The phone is expected to come powered by a 2,500mAh battery. While the pricing and availability details still remain unknown, it will probably be priced between ₹5,000 (~$66) and ₹7,000 (~$93) in the Indian market.

Not only JioPhone Next but many other smartphones face issue due to chip shortage: Counterpoint

Jeet — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 05:35:52 +0000

Recently, Indian telecom giant Reliance Jio announced that its upcoming smartphone, named JioPhone Next, will be officially launched by the Diwali festival in the country, which means that it will be available by 4th November.

The entry-level smartphone made in collaboration with Google was earlier set to get launched in the Indian market last week but the phone’s release has been delayed and the company has claimed global chip shortage as the reason.

JioPhone Next

Now, a report from Counterpoint Research claims that the JioPhone Next isn’t the only device being affected by the severe shortage of components and shipping delays. It says that many top smartphone makers are delaying or limited the launch of their products to certain markets due to production issues.

The delays in smartphone launches are linked to shortages in components like power management integrated circuits. The rising cost for key components such as memory, processors, and logistics is also a key factor.

At the same time, companies are also increasing the pricing of smartphones. The prime example of this would be Xiaomi-backed Redmi which increased the price of the Redmi Note 10 series four times in the Indian market.

According to Counterpoint Research, the year is expected to end with about 190 launches, which is less than over 207 launches last year. So far, companies have conducted around 103 smartphone launches this year.

It remains to be seen how many devices get launched in the fourth quarter of this year which is the prime sale period for both online and offline sales because of the festive season and it accounts for around one-third of annual sales.

JioPhone Next release delayed, will now launch during Diwali Festival in India

Sean — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 07:54:28 +0000

The highly anticipated JioPhone Next launch has been delayed. The device was set to launch on September 10 but has now been postponed to the Diwali festive season due to a number of reasons.

Dear All:
A statement on our widely anticipated JioPhone Next is here for your valuable support
—#JioPhoneNext pic.twitter.com/KfI8lDKjb0

— Rohit Bansal (@theRohitBansal) September 9, 2021

For those unaware, the JioPhone Next smartphone arrives from a Reliance Jio and Google collaboration that sought to bring a first of its kind experience that was made for India. The model features an optimized OS that is based on Android and Play Store and would offer premium capabilities like voice first features, which was usually common in high end smartphones. This feature would allow users to consume content and navigate their handsets with their own language, while also delivering a great camera performance with Android features and security updates as well.

In a joint statement, the Indian telecom giant and the search engine giant said that the JioPhone Next is currently under going advanced trials with a limited set of users for “further refinement” and the company’s are currently aiming at launch date set in the Diwali festive season. Furthermore, another major factor leading to the delay is the global semiconductor shortage. The delayed launch would enable both brands to better “mitigate” the industry wide shortage of chipsets.

JioPhone Next price in India leaked ahead of sale next week

Sudarshan Ravichandran — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 10:37:22 +0000

Indian telecom giant Reliance Jio is expected to release its new entry-level 4G smartphone dubbed as JioPhone Next very soon. This handset is developed in partnership with Google. A few days back, we learned that the device might be available for pre-order starting this week. But unfortunately, there’s still no update on it. However, a TV news channel seems to have reported on the pricing details of the JioPhone Next earlier this week.

JioPhone Next

According to Economic Times (via 91Mobiles), ET Now (business and finance news channel) shared details of JioPhone pricing and offers on Monday (August 30) citing sources.

As per the report, the JioPhone Next will be available in two variants, namely Basic and Advanced. These versions are said to be priced at ₹5,000 ($68) and ₹7,000 ($96) respectively. Customers buying the phone will have to only pay 10% cost upfront, while the remaining amount will be financed by the partner lenders.

The report says that Jio has partnered with five banks like State Bank of India, Piramal Capital, IDFC First Assure, and DMI Finance for financing the sales of its upcoming handset. Each of these banks has reportedly assured business worth ₹10,000 crores. That’s not all, Jio is also reported to have assured ₹2,500 crores worth of credit support for four other Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC).

Further, Reliance Jio is aiming to sell a whopping 50 million units of JioPhone Next in the first 6 months. The telecom company has already set internal targets with distributors and financiers for sales.

The Jiophone Next is manufactured by UTL Neolyncs, a joint venture between UTL Group and Neolync Solutions. The smartphone is scheduled to go on sale from September 10.

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Reliance JioPhone Next pre-booking timeline tipped

Sudarshan Ravichandran — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 15:29:02 +0000

Reliance announced the JioPhone Next at its 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. It is an ultra-affordable smartphone developed in collaboration with Google. The handset was said to go on sale from September 10. Ahead of that, the device’s pre-booking details have emerged.

According to a report by 91Mobiles, the JioPhone Next will be available for pre-booking starting next week. The publication has learned this information from its retail source. Hence, the timeline could be accurate since the phone is scheduled to hit the shelves on September 10.

The JioPhone Next is unlike the older LYF-branded smartphones from Reliance. As mentioned earlier, it is developed in partnership with Google. The device is targeted at first-time smartphone buyers. Hence, it is tailored for that set of users.

Reliance is yet to reveal the entire specifications of this handset, however, most of its features are out via a tipster. According to him, the JioPhone Next has a 5.5-inch display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 SoC paired with 2GB/3GB RAM as well as 16GB/32GB eMMC 4.5 storage.

The phone runs Android 11 Go Edition and comes with Google Camera Go with support for HDR, Night Mode, and Snapchat filters. It has a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera.

The handset has dual SIM card slots with support for 4G VoLTE. Last but not least, it is backed by a 2,500mAh battery.

Reliance is yet to reveal the price of the JioPhone Next. Anyway, as per the tipster, the phone will cost around ₹3,499 ($47).

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Google and Reliance team up for JioPhone Next that, launch set for Sept 10

Sean — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 06:55:32 +0000

The JioPhone Next is set to launch on 10th September 2021. The ultra affordable smartphone arrives with an optimized version of the Android operating system that was jointly developed by Reliance Jio and Google.

The Indian telecom giant has built the new smartphone that has been specifically tailored for the Indian market. Through its affordable price tag, the company aims to bring in millions of new users to experience the internet for the very first time.The JioPhone Next will be powered by an optimized version of Android that was made in cooperation with the search engine giant. This device will even support the Play Store and will support a voice assistant, automatic read aloud, off screen text language translation, smart camera with augmented reality filters, and much more.

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, stated that “Last year, Sundar and I talked about Google and Jio co developing a next-generation feature rich, but extremely affordable smartphone, aimed at providing first-time internet access for 2G users. Today I’m pleased to announce that Google and Jio teams have jointly developed a truly breakthrough smartphone that we are calling JioPhone Next, a fully featured smartphone, supporting the entire suite of applications from both Google and Jio and as well as the Android Play Store, through which users will have access to the entire universe of Android apps.”