Technology

Here’s world’s cheapest smartphone!

By Arundhati Rout

Posted on February 18, 2016

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Yes…you heard it right. A smartphone claimed to be having all the latest features is now available at only Rs 250 ($ 4) in India. It is termed as world’s cheapest smartphone.

Freedom 251, as is called, the smartphone has been introduced in the market by a Noida-based little-known Indian company named Ringing Bells, which was established only a few months ago.

Since its launch on February 17, it has caught everyone’s attention. The exitement was such that within hours the company had to suspend  taking orders ”due to overload”. The company on its website however said it is upgrading the service and will revert within or before 24 hours.

The company has tried to bridge the gap by offering products with superior value through high quality and best-in-class features at an affordable price.

During the launch of the mobile phone, Ringing Bells President Ashok Chadha said, “The real cost of the device is Rs 2,500, which will be recovered through tie up with startups, innovative marketing, reduction in duties, economies of scale, and selling the device using the online media.”

Established in 2015, Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd. is a new entrant in the fastest growing smartphone market. It designs and produces smartphones to provide a satisfying mobile experience for users, so that their valuable time is spent doing things they love, instead of figuring out ways to use the phone.

“Freedom 251 will be assembled in India, in line with Make in India initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The company plans to invest Rs 500 crore in setting up two manufacturing/ assembly units in Noida and Uttaranchal,” Chadha added.

At present, low-cost smartphones available on the market are priced around Rs 1,500.

Last year though DataWind, which had earlier launched cheapest tablet Akash, had announced that it is teaming up with Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications (RCOM) to launch smartphone, priced at Rs 999, the phone is yet to hit the market.

“Whatever the case maybe, the fact is that the company has brought the Freedom 251 smartphone to India and is selling it at an amount, which is lesser than a good fast food meal. As noted in our first impressions, the Freedom 251 is a full-fledged usable smartphone,” the Time of India wrote.

At such a low price-point it is assumed to disrupt the smartphone market in India, but it’s yet to be seen if the phone really delivers on the promise, the IBNLive reported.

Following ten points you might want to know about Freedom 251 smartphone.

1. Freedom 251 comes with a 4.00-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 540 pixels by 960 pixels. It uses Android Lollipop 5.1 operating system.
2. It is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM. Sensors on the phone include Proximity sensor.
3. This 3G phone comes with 1.3 GHz Quadcore Processor capable of fast and responsive performance. 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory, all the space you need along with the SD card support (expandable up to 32GB).
4. Its inbuilt touchless technology is Ideal for perfect Selfie. For Selfie lovers, life just got a little easier with 3.2 MP AF Rear Camera and 0.3 MP Front camera to capture best moments of your life.
5. With its 1450 mAh battery, Freedom 251 gives you more time to talk, text, Play and watch videos without needing to worry about running out of power.
6. It comes with one year warranty and the company has 650 service centres across the country.
7. The smartphone in the initial phase is available only through online booking on Ringing Bells’s website.
8. The company plans to sell more than 1 crore smartphones per month going forward but as of now if they receive 2.5 lakh pre-order they will stop taking further orders. So you have to hurry to get the device.
9. The company is also aiming to introduce its own SIM card within a couple of years.
10. To book one, consumers will have to visit www.freedom251.com, click on buy and follow the on-screen instructions. The booking is now closed due to overloaded traffic.

    The company says it will resume soon and consumers can expect to get the smartphone latest by June 30.

Big Wire