The largest domestic handset maker Micromax has launched low-cost 4G VoLTE smartphones bundled with Jio Happy New Year Offer. The new range of smartphone models are titled as Vdeo and are pre-installed with Google Duo for simplified video calling. The new Vdeo range of budget smartphones includes a pre-activated Reliance Jio 4G SIM card to offer unlimited free voice calls, data, and SMS till 31st March 2017.
The Vdeo series of smartphones will right now have 2 models and will be available in the offline market. The Vdeo 1 and Vdeo 2 are priced at ₹4,400 and ₹4,990 respectively. Regarding the specs, the Vdeo 1 sports a 4-inch WVGA display and Vdeo 2 comes with a 4.5-inch FWVGA display.
Both the budget handsets run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system and are powered by 1.3GHz quad-core processor from Spreadtrum and 1GB RAM. Except for the screen, every other spec looks common for both the handsets.
Equipped with 8GB internal storage, the smartphones can be expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. On the camera front, the handsets sport 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front camera. Connectivity wise, the handsets are 4G VoLTE enabled along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM Radio, GPS etc. The Vdeo phones carry a metal rear panel and are backed by 1600mAh and 1800mAh batteries respectively.
Addressing the launch of Vdeo phones, Mr. Shubhajit Sen, Chief Marketing Officer, Micromax Informatics, said: “The Vdeo range is fully loaded with best-in-class features for an entry level Smartphone – including 4G VoLTE, Android Marshmallow, Quad core processors, great battery performance and housed in a premium and stylish metal body. We think that this new series will revive sales in the sub ₹6,000, which has shrunk by 30% on-year in the last three-quarters.”
By comparing with the latest phones in the same 5K market, Micromax new Vdeo series is not up to the mark. The Micromax team should retrospect the situation prevailing in the telecom sector and should come out with higher specs to compete with foreign manufacturers. Or else, it should develop plans to provide feature rich phones at a lesser price to support digital economy.
