The name ringing bells might not really ring a bell if you’re looking to get yourself a smartphone. But that’s about to change now as the company is the first in the world to launch a smartphone that costs just INR 251 (roughly GBP 2.5 or US$3.6). The company behind what is arguably the cheapest phone in the world officially launched its much awaited product in New Delhi on Wednesday. This has suddenly put the little-known company into the spotlight in the Indian electronics sector.
In a market characterized by the success of low-cost smartphones, as more people gain access to the internet, people are wondering if the arrival of Freedom 251 could start new price wars. Before the launch of the product, there was much speculation about the company being funded by the government, but Ringing Bells has denied this.
A spokesperson from Ringing Bells told media persons in India that the company intends to create a revolution in the smartphone industry. Whether or not this will indeed happen is something we’ll know about four months down the line. But going by what we do know about the smartphone, here are the 10 ten factors that might take Freedom 251 closer to dramatically impacting the competitive landscape:
In a market characterized by the success of low-cost smartphones, as more people gain access to the internet, people are wondering if the arrival of Freedom 251 could start new price wars. Before the launch of the product, there was much speculation about the company being funded by the government, but Ringing Bells has denied this.
A spokesperson from Ringing Bells told media persons in India that the company intends to create a revolution in the smartphone industry. Whether or not this will indeed happen is something we’ll know about four months down the line. But going by what we do know about the smartphone, here are the 10 ten factors that might take Freedom 251 closer to dramatically impacting the competitive landscape:
- Presently, Ringing Bells imports parts and components and assembles them domestically. However, the company’s plan is to begin manufacturing the phone entirely in India within a year.
- The phone runs on the Android Lollipop 5.1 OS, has a 8 GB internal memory (expandable up to 32 GB), 1.3 GHz quadcore processor, a 1 GB RAM, and a 4-inch screen qHD IPS.
- With a battery power of 1450 mAh, it is expected that the phone will have to be charged more than once in a day.
- It comes with many preinstalled apps, such as, WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, Google Play, and others.
- The phone is fitted with a 3.2 MP AF rear camera and a .3 MP front camera.
- A one-year warranty is being provided on the phone and the company is planning to manage after-sales with over 650 service centers across India.
- The price of the phone is INR 251 and the company will charge INR 40 for delivery.
As enticing as these features might seem, skeptics are of the opinion that with a company that has no track record might not deliver on all these fronts.
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