JioPhone Next 4G smartphone: These are mind-boggling numbers - take a peek

JioPhone Next 4G smartphone is likely to connect this massive number of people. Half a billion people are expected to be targeted by Reliance and Google for the Jio Phone Next.

JioPhone Next (Reliance Jio)

Reliance Jio recently announced JioPhone Next budget smartphone in collaboration with Google. Even a simple look at the smartphone and the kind of pricing that is being hinted at shows that almost everyone would want it. The company, it has been revealed, will likely target as many as half a billion people in India.

Jio Phone Next is looking to attract hundreds of millions of feature phone users to switch to 4G connectivity after it launches in the country, according to a research firm. The upcoming device is expected to come with an affordable price tag and could convince many 2G feature phone users to switch to using smartphones. Then there are even the current Jio Phone users who can be swayed with proper subsidy or freebies. Counterpoint Research has done the mind-boggling number crunching and it says Reliance Jio and Google could be focusing on a market of 520 million users in the country to sell its affordable 4G smartphone.

Estimating India's population at 1.39 billion, the research firm states that there are 850 million cellphone owners and the total percentage of mobile phone penetration is still at 61 percent. According to the firm, there are around 540 million ‘unconnected' users that are comprised of young and elderly users, plus those who aren't able to afford a smartphone.

The Target For Jio Phone Next

The report also states that the company could be looking at 150 million unconnected users, 50 million second-hand (and used) smartphone users and 320 million feature phone users for a potential 520 million users for the JioPhone Next. Interestingly, the firm also notes that the three-year term for the company's older JioPhone that was launched in the country in 2017, and the ‘refundable deposit' of ₹1,500 could be used to offer more attractive deals for these users looking to switch to a smartphone.

Google-Reliance Jio partnership

Announced last month at the company's 44th AGM, the JioPhone Next is a product of the carrier's partnership with Android maker Google. The latter had invested $4.5 billion in Jio to eventually make affordable smartphones with an optimised version of the Android operating system that is tailored for Indian audiences. The device is expected to bring 4G connectivity and smartphones to several more users in the country, which benefits both Jio and Google.

JioPhone Next specifications

The JioPhone Next specifications were not revealed by the company during the AGM announcement, but company chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani had touted some of the software features of the smartphone including a built-in voice assistant, on-screen translation and a read-aloud feature, access to the Google Play Store and Play Protect and a smart camera with HDR support and built-in Snapchat lens filters. The device is expected to launch on September 10, according to the company.