JioPhone Prima 4G: The Affordable Featurephone That Packs a Punch for Just ₹2,599
November 08, 2023: Shaking up the featurephone market in India, Reliance Jio has introduced the JioPhone Prima 4G at a price of ₹2599. While sector watchers have noted that this pricing is above the current average for featurephones in India, the featurephone brings with it a slew of advanced features that could justify the premium.
JioPhone Prima 4G: Bridging the Digital Divide
The phone is designed to bridge the gap between conventional featurephones and smartphones. It offers a unique blend of simplicity and advanced technology by enabling access to 4G internet speeds and popular apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google Assistant, thanks to its KaiOS operating system.
A Closer Look at the Features of the JioPhone Prima 4G
- Connectivity and Entertainment: This featurephone is not just about calls and texts. With the inclusion of Jio’s suite of apps such as JioTV, JioSaavn, JioNews, and JioCinema, users can enjoy a rich multimedia experience. Furthermore, the JioPhone Prima 4G facilitates UPI payments via JioPay, indicating a significant step towards financial inclusion.
- Design and Usability: A standout feature is the voice assistant enabled by the middle circular button’s microphone, allowing for easy use of voice commands. The phone sports a 2.4-inch TFT LCD screen and an ergonomic keypad design.
- Battery and Cameras: It comes equipped with an 1800mAh battery, providing ample power for daily tasks. The phone also features unspecified front and rear digital cameras for basic photography needs.
- Availability: Potential buyers can find the JioPhone Prima 4G at JioMart, Amazon, and Reliance Digital stores.
Industry Perspective on Pricing
Navkendar Singh, AVP at IDC India, mentioned, “Pricing is still high for the large portion of 35 crore featurephone users. However, it may appeal to the top 25% of the feature phone base.” The pricing strategy suggests that JioPhone Prima 4G aims to attract users who are willing to pay a bit more for advanced features not commonly found in traditional featurephones.
Additional Incentives
In tandem with the launch, Reliance Jio also announced a new ₹866 prepaid plan that pairs nicely with the JioPhone Prima 4G. This plan includes Swiggy One Lite membership for 84 days, 2GB of daily data, and unlimited voice calling, along with other benefits.
ALSO READ | How to Get JioAirFiber Connection: Comprehensive Guide on Booking, Installation, and Plans
More Than Just a Phone
The JioPhone Prima 4G is not simply a communication device; it is an all-in-one gadget that brings internet connectivity, digital payments, and entertainment to a traditionally underserved market segment. With support for 23 languages and features like Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi support, and expandable memory, the featurephone could indeed be a game-changer for millions.
Reliance Jio’s ambition to transition 250 million 2G users to 4G through the phone and its portfolio is a testament to its strategy of inclusive growth. This device, sandwiched between the high-end JioPhone Next and the more affordable JioPhone Bharat, is poised to play a crucial role in this transition.
As Reliance Jio continues to collaborate with other featurephone manufacturers, the future of affordable, internet-enabled phones looks promising. With the JioPhone Prima 4G, Jio is not just selling a phone; it is offering a new way of life to featurephone users across India.
