After a very long wait, Jio officially announces its ultra-affordable 4G smartphone called JioPhone Next at 44th Reliance AGM. Jio has developed the JioPhone Next in collaboration with Google and is slated to release later this year. The phone runs on an optimized version of Android and Play Store specially built for JioPhone Next.
The JioPhone comes with a new feature called Read Aloud and Translate Now helps users who might not be able to read content in their language. Just with a tap of a button, users can easily translate what’s on the phones’ screen, and even have it read back to them in their own language. Both of these tools work OS-wide and work with any text on the phone screen, including web pages, apps, messages, and even photos.
Another notable feature is App Actions that allow you con control and command many of the Jio Apps on the phone using Google Assistant. Additionally, it will also allow users to ask about the latest cricket scores or a weather update, and even play music on JioSaavn or check the balance on My Jio.
Coming to the camera, the JioPhone Next features a single camera on the rear with LED flash and a selfie shooter on the front. Jio has not mentioned anything about the camera configuration but confirmed that the phone supports enhanced Night mode and HDR mode. According to Jio, these features bring out the wider color and dynamic range in photos, and also these are the firsts for affordable phones in India. Additionally, Google has also partnered with Snap to integrate Indian-specific Snapchat Lenses directly into the phone’s camera.
The JioPhone supports the latest Android releases and security updates and will also get new features and customizations through an over-the-air update. The phone also comes with Google Play Protect built-in. There is not much information about the JioPhone Next processor, battery capacity display, etc. The phone will be available starting 10th September 2021.
I’m excited that today, we can announce the next steps in this vision, starting with a new, affordable Jio smartphone, created with Google. Our teams have optimized a version of our Android OS, especially for this device. It will offer language and translation features, a great camera, and support for the latest Android updates, said Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet
JIO has truly democratized digital connectivity in India by offering the highest quality, most affordable 4G broadband services in the world. JioPhone Next is powered by an extremely optimized version of the Android operating system. This is testimony to a global technology company and a national technology champion working jointly to make a breakthrough product said, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and MD, Reliance Industries Limited.