Back in late July last year, Mukesh Ambani-led Indian telecom operator Reliance Jio launched JioPhone in India – its first feature phone that supports 4G VoLTE. Well, even though the JioPhone is a feature phone, it does come with support for apps like JioMusic and JioTV that let you listen to online music and watch TV shows. While JioPhone already got support for Facebook back in February this year, support for WhatsApp was still missing. However, to the joy of JioPhone users, Reliance Jio at today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) has announced that WhatsApp will soon be available on JioPhone.
Reliance Jio has confirmed that WhatsApp – which is the most popular instant messaging app in the world – will be available to JioPhone users next month from August 15 through JioPhone’s app store. Well, making WhatsApp available on JioPhone only makes sense considering the app has a whopping 200 Million active users in the country. Moreover, JioPhone is targeted at those who want to get onto the 4G bandwagon but don’t have the budget of spending ₹4000-₹5000 on entry-level 4G smartphones, and making WhatsApp available to them will only make the JioPhone a worthy purchase for potential buyers.
That said, alongside WhatsApp, Jio has confirmed that Facebook and YouTube will also be available on JioPhone through the JioPhone app store.
It’s worth noting that JioPhone got Google Assistant in Hindi and English languages last year in December which makes it possible for JioPhone users to make phone calls, play music, search the Internet and do more through voice commands. Besides, this feature phone also got Google Maps which makes it possible for JioPhone users to get directions and search for locations. However, don’t expect all the features of Google Maps available for smartphone users to be available on JioPhone.
With that being said, Mukesh Ambani at the AGM also revealed that the company has sold a total of 25 Million units of JioPhone in India, and, it now aims to get 100 Million users on this platform. In fact, at its AGM, Jio also announced the JioPhone Monsoon Hungama Offer that lets you buy JioPhone for as low as ₹501 by exchanging your old feature phone. This should certainly help the telco get more users on board.
JioPhone Specifications
- CPU: 1.2 GHz SPRD 9820A/QC8905 dual-core processor
- RAM: 512 MB
- GPU: Mali-400
- Operating System: KAI OS
- Display: 2.4-inch QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) display
- Rear Camera: 2 MP
- Front Camera: 0.3 MP
- Internal Storage: 4 GB
- External Storage: Expandable up to 128 GB via microSD card
- SIM: Single Nano SIM
- Connectivity: 4G VoLTE, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, NFC, FM Radio, 3.5 mm headphone, microUSB 2.0
- Other: JioApps, Jio Assistant, Support for 22 Indian languages, Screen mirroring via JioMediaCable, Torchlight
- Color: Black
- Battery: 2000 mAh removable Li-Poly
Note: This article has been updated with more information about the JioPhone Monsoon Hungama Offer and the availability of Google Maps on JioPhone.
