POSTPONED: Google-Powered JioPhone Next Launch Pushed To Diwali Amid Global Chip Shortage

Even as the launch has been delayed, Jio and Google have made considerable progress towards launching the JioPhone Next in a bid to grab a share of 300 million feature phone users in India.

RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani announcing the introduction of JioPhone Next during AGM | File Image

Mumbai: Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio, which was scheduled to launch Google-powered JioPhone Next, the world's cheapest smartphone on September 10, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi will now launch it in the first week of November, around Diwali, due to global shortage of chips.

 

"Both companies have begun testing JioPhone Next with a limited set of users for further refinement and are actively working to make it available more widely in time for the Diwali festive season. This additional time will also help mitigate the current industry-wide, global semiconductor shortages," said Reliance Jio in a statement late Thursday night, ahead of the scheduled launch on Friday. 

 

Even as the launch has been delayed, Jio and Google have made considerable progress towards launching the much-awaited JioPhone Next, the made-for-India smartphone being jointly designed by the companies, in a bid to grab a share of 300 million feature phone users in India.

 

"JioPhone Next will be available in the market from the auspicious date of Ganesh Chaturthi, 10th September, this year," Reliance Industries (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani had stated on June 24. 

 

JioPhone Next is a first-of-its-kind device featuring an optimized operating system based on Android and Play Store. The device and the operating system will offer premium capabilities that have until now been associated with more powerful smartphones, including voice-first features that enable people to consume content and navigate the phone in their own language, deliver a great camera experience, and get the latest Android feature and security updates.

 

JioPhone Next is built with exciting features like the Google Assistant, automatic read-aloud and language translation for any on-screen text, a smart camera with India-centric filters, and much more.

 

The companies remain committed to their vision of opening up new possibilities for millions of Indians, especially those who will experience the internet for the very first time.

 

RIL shares on BSE closed down marginally at Rs 2425.5 in a weak Mumbai market on Thursday, valuing the company at Rs 15.37 lakh crore, India's most valued.