Alphabet Inc.’s CEO Sundar Pichai during an earnings call with analysts on Tuesday, October 26, termed the upcoming launch of JioPhone Next “a version of digital transformation.” JioPhone next is a collaborative effort of Reliance Industries and Google targeted at Indian audiences to help them transition to 4G network at an affordable price.
JioPhone Next is slated to be launched next week on Diwali. Dubbed as the most affordable smartphone in the world, the phone’s launch is expected to have a significant impact on the country over the next three to five years, Pichai stated.
The CEO highlighted the increasing demand for smartphones in India, citing that people are seeking access to the internet and the number of users shifting to smartphones from feature phones is growing.
He also expressed his enthusiasm to be partnering with Jio in developing the phone to specifically cater to the needs of Indian consumers as the company will be investing in languages beyond English to target the needs of local people and accomplishing the task in such a way that the users can take advantage of the smartphones.
“I view it as laying the foundation. It’s a version of digital transformation and palpable, the demand we see,” he stated, adding that “India, just like the Asia Pacific, continues to be an exciting market for us.” The JioPhone Next was first announced by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Sundar Pichai during RIL’s Annual General Meeting on June 24, 2021.
Equipped with a tailor-made Pragati OS and features such as read-aloud text, voice assistant, language translation and smart camera, the made-for-masses smartphone will be assembled at Reliance Jio’s Neolync facility in Tirupati and Sriperumbudur. It is expected to be priced at around Rs 3,499.
