Reliance JioPhone has launched with it’s first look and specs now available on many gadget sites. In fact Reliance has apparently also committed as many as 6 million deliveries just before Diwali in India.
Recently, Apple Launched the iPhone X and while we covered the launch news and specifications, features of iPhone X in detail here, there are many reactions coming in across the world about the price vs. value comparison of the new iPhones.
On the other end of the spectrum we have our own change maker here in India – Reliance which is committed to catering to the whole gamut of population in India, in spreading the ‘Digital India’ dream of our PM and the push towards digital payments.
Reliance JioPhone – for the mass market data revolution in India
To be fair : to compare the Jio Phone vs. Apple iPhone is like Comparing Oranges to Apples … well, $1000 a Kg gold encrusted, Tiramisu chocolate topped Apples, I guess… so this comparison should be taken in lighter vein.
But the ideas is to look the revolution which an inexpensive mass product can launch. One of the times this has been tried was with the Tata Nano, which has arguably failed, but that is another story.
Reliance Jio Phone 4G VOLTE Phone now available
Iphone X – edge to edge display in action
The verdict on the JioPhone will take some time to come out – but for now lets have a look at some of the features:
| The JioPhone At Rs. 1500/- | The iPhone X which comes at $1000 |
|---|---|
| Voice assistance through Long Key Press – open Jio App and Call any number by just Telling it. Similarly voice command to open messages or apps. | iPhone X has Siri which can call up people, play music and apparently a lot more |
| Front Camera for video call | Video call and a lot more with the Front camera |
| Facebook is coming to JioPhone through a native app | Facebook and Whatsapp and a host of other iTune apps |
| microSD card supported – increase your storage to up to 128 GB through microSD card | microSD card not supported by design but internal storage packs a punch now – upto 128 GB |
| NFC Payments Supported . However this feature will be activated through a software update most likely by the end of the year. | Apple Pay supported. Face ID will support very advanced payments. |
| Single Sim (VOLTE – Reliance) | Single SIM – normal GSM |
| Supports as many as 24 Indian Languages | Hindi is supported in typing and apparently by Siri as well. Other languages for keyboard support such as Tamil, Telegu, Marathi, Odia, Urdu are supported |
| Free voice calling through Reliance Jio network | You have to Pay for voice calling |
| GPS, Bluetooth and Wifi | GPS, Bluetooth and Wifi |
Get  X 58 Phones |
Get a Single for the same Price |
Get +  |
Get a Single for the same Price |
So what does this mean
Of-course the iPhone X has many such features which are at the cutting edge of technology such as: Face ID, Animojis, Edge to Edge display, Cutting edge AI, Amazing camera effects and features and the comparison is not serious. But it is heartening to know that for as low a price as Rs. 1500/- (which is in-fact refundable after 3 years according to Reliance), the mass market users in India can get such a feature laden phone. Truly, Digital India has arrived for India.
Analysis: What does the launch of Reliance Jio Phone mean for developers in India ?
The Reliance Jio Phone is expected to reach as many as 200 million of India’s data hungry population eventually. This no. may increase even more if the response is as planned. The device does not work on Android but uses Kai OS operating system which is Linux based. While currently there is no news of the same, it is possible over time Reliance may even provide an app development eco-system for mobile app developers to build apps suitable for its Jio Phone. Reliance certainly has the funds and scale to do so. This would mean developers indulging in yet ANOTHER programming language but also opportunities for development companies to provide apps which are more suitable for Indian mass market which this phone is targeting. This also seems to be a great opportunity for content Creators, Publishers and perhaps even for ad-exchange systems targeting the Jio eco-system.
In case you’re looking for mobile app development in New Delhi or out of India, perhaps we can help you. Do get in touch.
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