# In pics: Cheapest smartphone Freedom 251 rings up trouble (HT Tech) > A look through photographs at the controversy created by the device. # In pics: Cheapest smartphone Freedom 251 rings up trouble ## A look through photographs at the controversy created by the device. Feb 20 2016, 13:53 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/rf/image_size_800x600/HT/p2/2016/02/20/Pictures/launch-of-smartphone-ringing-bells-freedom-251_afdd7a76-d740-11e5-b369-6a1e536aef0c.jpg) A visitor outside the office of Ringing Bells, the company that makes Freedom 251, in Sector 63, in Noida. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By HT CORRESPONDENT Freedom 251, the world's cheapest smartphone at price tag of ₹ 251, has created a buzz across India but not all the publicity has been good. It has been accused of stealing from Apple's iPhone, promising apps it didn't have and its business model questioned. Income tax department on officials on Friday questioned employees of Ringing Bells, the Noida-based company that manufactures the phone. Here is a look at the buzz about the phone in pictures. People shout slogans against Ringing Bells, the maker of smartphone Freedom 251, outside the company's office in Sector 63, Noida on Friday. The phone generated buzz following full-page advertisements in national newspapers, with millions of prospective buyers rushing to book a device. The company's website crashed within a few minutes of its launch on Wednesday. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) People shout slogans against Ringing Bells, the maker of smartphone Freedom 251, outside the company's office in Sector 63, Noida on Friday. The phone generated buzz following full-page advertisements in national newspapers, with millions of prospective buyers rushing to book a device. The company's website crashed within a few minutes of its launch on Wednesday. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) A notice outside Ringing Bells's office says Freedom 251 will be sold on its website, which however seemed to have crashed. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) A notice outside Ringing Bells's office says Freedom 251 will be sold on its website, which however seemed to have crashed. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) A visitor to Ringing Bells's office shows a bill for Freedom 251. The company seems to be struggling with (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) A visitor to Ringing Bells's office shows a bill for Freedom 251. The company seems to be struggling with (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) A visitor to Freedom Bells shows an electronic bill for the Freedom 251 smartphone. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) A visitor to Freedom Bells shows an electronic bill for the Freedom 251 smartphone. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) A crowd outside Ringing Bells office on Thursday . People claimed that the phone numbers given in advertisements for booking Freedom 251 didn't work. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) A crowd outside Ringing Bells office on Thursday . People claimed that the phone numbers given in advertisements for booking Freedom 251 didn't work. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) Visitors to Freedom Bells office on Thursday show newspaper ads for the cheapest smartphone. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Visitors to Freedom Bells office on Thursday show newspaper ads for the cheapest smartphone. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT photo) Ringing Bells launched Freedom 251 at a much-publicised ceremony on Wednesday. (Saumya Khandelwal/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Ringing Bells launched Freedom 251 at a much-publicised ceremony on Wednesday. (Saumya Khandelwal/ HT photo) Freedom 251's launch was followed by scrutiny of how does the manufacturer make a profit out of it. (Saumya Khandelwal/ HT photo) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Freedom 251's launch was followed by scrutiny of how does the manufacturer make a profit out of it. (Saumya Khandelwal/ HT photo) Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. 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