Published 13:37 IST, December 13th 2018
Would You Care To Buy a $11 Feature Phone In India?
If you are a feature phone buyer, do exercise caution as there are brands that have virtually sprung up overnight and claiming to have offered handsets which could be below par in terms of performance and efficiency
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It now seems like the presumed dead feature phone segment, which got a new lease of life through the Jio Phone handsets, is potentially set to witness newer brands theoretically disrupting the sector through feature phones which are ultra-affordable and targeted at the general everyday users; more than the tech-savvy preferring to accord primary preference to their smartphones.
The latest feature phone apparently released costs Rs 800 ($11 roughly) and there are two variants called Do Mobile M31 and M3; both of which are sub-Rs 800 handsets with the typical feature phone interface and externals. Now, both these handsets are reported to start retailing soon throughout the country; but Do Mobile is yet to make public the retail aspects of the handsets.
Also, the Do Mobile M31 and M3 are yet to be officially listed on the brand’s official website. Rumour mills are rife about these handsets going up for retail very soon.
Nonetheless, if these phones do make it to the market, it is worth understanding that there are already plentiful feature phones vying for preference over Reliance Jio’s offerings. As far as its key technical specifications are concerned, the M3 and M32 handsets are rumoured to offer a less than 2-inch display with all average feature phone specifications such as a keypad, approximately 100 mAh removable batteries, FM radio (some offer wireless FM radio playback support as well), flashlight, phonebook, and standby times extending up to multiple days.
At this juncture, it is worth noting that if you are a feature phone buyer, do exercise caution as there are brands that have virtually sprung up overnight and claiming to have offered handsets which could be below par in terms of performance and efficiency. Always employ analysis before you finalise on feature phone purchase; preferably buy from trusted brands as much as possible.
Updated 16:55 IST, December 13th 2018