JioPhone Next: A quick first look at Jio’s first smartphone

1/10

JioPhone Next—Jio’s first smartphone is here. The smartphone, which is built jointly by Jio and Google will be available for buying from 4th November 2021 at a price of Rs 6,499. You can also get it on EMI by paying Rs 1,999 upfront and the rest of the amount over a 18-24 months period. Jio is offering as many as four financing options—always-on, large, XL, and XXL—that will also bundle additional data and voice services. The JioPhone Next is an entry-level 4G smartphone that’s intended to lessen the digital divide and bring more people up-to-speed with the internet and faster connectivity which is to say, 2G users is the demographic that Jio is looking at. Needless to say, there’s a lot of hype around this smartphone. Whether—or not—it justifies that is something we will tell you in our full review, but for now, here’s a quick first look at Jio’s first smartphone. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

2/10

At its heart lies the Pragati OS software, that’s being billed as “a world class operating system that has been built specifically for India.” Jio has worked ‘closely’ with Google to customise Android—which is actually Android 11 Go—to push for a voice-based narrative and more granular localisation. Whether—or not—those customisations are substantial enough to call it a ‘new OS’—as Jio so blatantly puts on the phone’s website—remains to be seen though. The phone will ship with Google and Jio apps. Facebook and Instagram will also come pre-loaded on the JioPhone Next. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

3/10

The software experience in the JioPhone Next will focus on three aspects: localisation, cameras and push for latest Android features and security updates. It will bundle features like voice assistant and automatic read-aloud of screen text, language translation, and a smart camera with augmented reality filters from Snapchat and HDR. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

4/10

Jio has made it abundantly clear that software, not hardware, is the JioPhone Next’s marquee feature. That’s not to say that the hardware isn’t interesting. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

5/10

JioPhone Next has a 5.45-inch 720p display. This is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with anti-fingerprint coating. Unlike a lot of modern-day budget phones, the JioPhone Next comes with sizable bezels at the top and the bottom. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

6/10

Under the hood, the JioPhone Next has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 system-on-chip paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage—this is expandable by another 512GB through a hybrid micro-SD card slot. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

7/10

This is a dual-SIM phone but you’ll be locked to Jio for everything but voice calls. One SIM will be PLMN locked to Jio and mobile data connectivity will be available only on Jio SIM. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

8/10

JioPhone Next has a 13MP rear and an 8MP front camera. Both can record 1080p @30fps videos. Portrait and night mode are available. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

9/10

Powering the package is a 3,500mAh battery with micro-USB charging. The battery is removable and therefore easily swappable. Rounding off the package are Bluetooth 4.1 and a 3.5mm audio jack. And yes, you can use the JioPhone Next as a Wi-Fi hotspot—which was missing on the original JioPhone. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)

10/10

JioPhone Next will be available from November 4. To buy the phone, you’ll need to first register your interest. You can do this in three ways—by visiting your nearest JioMart Digital retailer, Jio.com/Next website, or on WhatsApp by sending ‘HI’ to 70182-70182. You’ll receive a confirmation once your unit is available. This needs to be collected in person from your JioMart retailer. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)