Google & Jio Platforms develop ‘most affordable smartphone; plan to launch later this year

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) announced that its digital subsidiary, Jio Platforms Limited and Google have come together to jointly develop a made-for-India smartphone called JioPhone Next, which is to launch later this year (in September). 

JioPhone Next is aimed to be a next-generation feature-rich but an extremely affordable smartphone, focussing on providing first-time internet access for 2G users. The country still has nearly 300 million mobile users, who are unable to escape from inefficient & exorbitant 2G services since the most basic 4G smartphone remain unaffordable for users.   

JioPhone Next will come with support for the entire suite of applications from both Google & Jio and as well as Android Play Store, through which, users will have access to the entire universe of Android apps. 

In November last year, Google invested Rs 33,737 crore in Jio Platforms Ltd, joining the list of global investors such as Facebook to have infused capital in Mukesh Ambani-led company. After this transaction, Google now holds a 7.73 per cent stake in Jio Platforms.  

At 2.15 pm on Friday, the stock of RIL was trading at Rs 2,112.50, down by 1.90 per cent or 40.85 per share as against a 0.48 per cent gain in the benchmark index. The 52-week high and 52-week low of the scrip was recorded at Rs 2,368.80 and Rs 1,696.00, respectively on BSE.