Posts made by Dipika Menon

The Industry leader Bharti Airtel strikes back with ₹249 plan. The new prepaid plan is meant to counter Reliance Jio’s IPL 2018 plan. As per the Airtel ₹249 plan, the user can enjoy 2GB data per day for a period of 28 days.

The Reliance Jio Cricket Pack ₹251 offers a total of 102GB of data with a validity of 51 days. Here the data cap is 2GB per day and thereafter unlimited usage at 64kbps speed. The data can be used to access all internet content and is not just limited to watching IPL matches.

Back to the Airtel new plan, it is an open market plan where one can recharge through My Airtel app or website or any retail store. Coming to the benefits, the Airtel ₹249 plan offers a total of 56GB of 4G/3G data (2GB daily limit), unlimited calls (local, STD and roaming), and 100 SMS per day with a validity period of 28 days.

Also Read: Idea Cellular ₹19 Prepaid Plan Offers Unlimited Voice for 2 Days

Airtel Revises ₹349 Plan:

Along with it, Bharti Airtel also revised the most popular ₹349 plan to offer daily 3GB of 4G/3G data. Earlier, the teleco used to offer daily 2.5GB per data. Now, one can enjoy 84GB of 4G/3G data, unlimited calls (local, STD and free roaming), and 100 SMS per day with a validity period of 28 days.

However, one should note that both the prepaid packs do have a FUP limit of 300 minutes per day and 1000 minutes per week. Post the usage limit, the calls will be charged 30 paisa per minute.

It is to be noted that both these plans are meant for heavy data users. With IPL season on, there could be a rush for these data plans. Though these plans can’t be compared to Reliance Jio’s offerings but are surely reliable.

Airtel ₹499 Plan with 82 Days Validity:

The best plan from Bharti Airtel is it’s all affordable ₹499 prepaid plan. It offers unlimited voice calls (local, STD and roaming), 100 SMS per day and daily 2GB data for a period of 82 days. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best plans from the top telecom network Bharti Airtel to counter Reliance Jio.

To the unaware, Bharti Airtel has also changed the theme of its promotional advertisement. It now asks the user to test all the networks and finally stick to the best Airtel network. Indeed, this is a great change from the incumbent operator without directly attacking the Reliance Jio. Thus, one can expect better plans from Airtel in the coming days to stay ahead post Vodafone - Idea merger.

Also Read: Airtel ₹93 Recharge Offers Unlimited Calls, 1GB Data for 10 Days

The OPPO F7 claimed to be the gateway to beautiful selfies with a 25-megapixel sensor is up for open sale across all channels. This includes both online and offline partners at a price tag of ₹21900.

Much of the expectations, over 10,000 units of the OPPO 7 were sold in its first flash sale on April 2. Finally, realizing its potential, OPPO has opened its flagship smartphone to the Indian market without any restrictions. Now, the 25-megapixel AI-powered selfie smartphone can be purchased across all the online and offline stores.

That means OPPO 7 sale is not just limited to Amazon or Flipkart. The flagship selfie smartphone is available for purchase at all offline stores including the OPPO stores in the country. Moreover, it has got 5% cashback on the purchase through ICICI credit cards. As a launch offer, Jio will provide 120GB of 4G data and up to ₹1200 cashback in a year.

Also Read: OPPO F5 to Launch in 3 Variants with AI-Powered Selfie Features

OPPO F7 Specifications:

Regarding specifications, OPPO 7 sports a 6.23-inch display with bezel-less design and a notch cut like the iPhone X. It has a 2280x1080 pixel FHD+ super full screen that gives 16% bigger view than a 16:9 screen ratio.

With its glossy unique design, OPPO F7 offers mesmerizing colour options including Unique Diamond Black, Shiny Solar Red, and Soothing Moonlight Silver. Powered by MediaTek Helio P60 octa-core SoC and 4GB/6GB RAM, the new flagship OPPO F7 is available in 2 storage variants namely 64GB and 128GB that can be expandable up to 256GB via microSD card.

25-MP AI Powered Selfie Capture:

The smartphone sports a 25-megapixel selfie camera – the first of its kind. The 16-megapixel rear camera supplements it with incredible features including Bokeh mode, AI Beauty 2.0 that can scan 296 facial recognition points for higher accuracy with facial unlock feature. Undoubtedly, OPPO uses Artificial Intelligence and makes the mobile photography an easy thing even in low-light conditions.

The latest OPPO 7 runs on the latest Android 8.1 Oreo-based ColorOS 5.0 and backed up 3400mAh battery. This dual nano-SIM 4G smartphone supports all the connectivity options including 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3.5mm headphone.

What’s Your Opinion?

Going through all specifications, one can easily highlight that OPPO F7 is a must have phone for notch and selfie lovers. With iPhone X like notch, OPPO 7 seems to be a clear winner. However, ViVo 9 has got similar specs but priced ₹1000 on a higher side. Moreover, OPPO 7 has a clear edge with its faster processor and better battery life.

Interestingly, the Chinese giant is also providing a one-time free screen replacement within a year of purchase. In a nutshell, OPPO 7 is a worthy upgrade! What do you say? Please do share your valuable opinion.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A1, the Flagship Android One Phone with Dual Camera at ₹14999

Though Aditya Birla led telecom group entity Idea Cellular has officially announced a merger with Vodafone India, it is not leaving any stone to its competitors. The telecom company has officially launched a ₹19-prepaid plan that’s well meant for prepaid subscribers.

As per the reports available, the Idea Cellular ₹19 plan is in line with Airtel’s 19 prepaid plan. It offers unlimited voice calling benefits, 100 SMS and 150 MB data. This is a mini combo plan that offers all the benefits for 2 days. With FUP limits on, the subscriber can enjoy 250 minutes per day including roaming calls.

Idea Cellular ₹19 Prepaid Plan Vs The Competitors:

If you look at the ₹19 Prepaid Plan from Reliance Jio, it offers similar benefits but only for 1 day. To be precise, Reliance Jio ₹19 plan offers unlimited voice calls, 20 SMS and 150MB data for 1 day. Undoubtedly, Idea Cellular ₹19 prepaid plan is better than Reliance Jio’s offering.

In this entry-level segment, Bharti Airtel used to score over Reliance Jio’s ₹19 Prepaid Plan. However, with the introduction of Idea Cellular ₹19 Prepaid Plan, Aditya Birla led telecom group seems to be the clear winner.

Besides these entry-level tariff plans, Idea has also got ₹998 and ₹1298 prepaid unlimited packs that offer daily 5GB data and 7GB respectively with a validity of 28 and 35 days. There’s no particular reason for launching these plans. Interested users can subscribe these high denomination plans.

What’s Your Opinion?

After the entry of Reliance Jio, the telecom map has been reshaped. And the incumbent operators are designing new tariff plans to stay in the competition. Though there is no requirement for an entry-level pack, the telecom operators do not want to lose this minute segment. As stated, Idea Cellular is redesigning its campaign and further strengthening its customer base across India.

As per the latest news, the proposed merger is in the final stages of approval. This has been confirmed by none other than Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan. If it materializes, the combined entity will have over 400 million subscribers making it the largest telecom entity.

Also Read: Idea Cellular New Postpaid Plan - Unlimited Calling & 1GB/Day @ ₹399

Xiaomi has quietly added 4GB RAM variant to its Redmi 5 smartphone. Till date, the Chinese company has got 2 configurations for Redmi 5 – 2GB RAM/16GB storage and 3GB RAM/32GB storage.

Starting Thursday, the Xiaomi started shipping 4GB RAM variant. However, it’s sad to note that there is no improvement in terms of onboard storage. The smartphone has 32GB ROM. The additional 1GB is beneficial only when the user wants to enjoy multitasking experience. Leaving that aside, there is no big improvement in terms of specs.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Succeeds Redmi Note 4?

The new 4GB RAM variant comes in Black, Gold and Light Blue colors. The handset is listed for sale on the company’s Chinese online store at a price tag of CNY 1099. If you compare it with the previous version, then you can find a price increase of about CNY 200.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Specifications:

To recap, Redmi 5 is a 5.7-inch metal unibody handset that features a near bezel-less 18:9 aspect ratio display. Powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset and Adreno 506 GPU, the handset has 3 variants now as specified above.

It is well equipped with a12-megapixel primary camera and 5-megapixel selfie camera lenses for low-light photography. The 3300mAh capacity battery helps the handset to deliver its unmatched performance up to 2 days.

The MIUI 9 skin is built on Android Nougat 7.1.2. The 4G VoLTE featured Redmi 5 offers all the regular connectivity options including a micro USB port, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth Vs 4.2, hybrid dual SIM, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n etc.

Though the variant is currently limited to Chinese territory, its release can be a global one. However, the Xiaomi should face a bit of tough sell when the new variant is just a RAM upgrade. With every leak and release, there is speculation that Xiaomi might release the successor to its most popular Redmi Note 4.

Hope the company makes it alive at least by the Second Quarter (April 2018). Till then, the company can’t satisfy the demand for Redmi Note 5.

Also Read: Xiaomi Unveils Selfie-Centric Smartphones Redmi Y1 and Y1 Lite

Even before the popularity of OnePlus 5 gets down, the Chinese company has officially launched the tweaked version - OnePlus 5T. The latest handset is a significant upgrade due to its bezel-less design and higher specs for its camera.

As claimed by Mr Vikas Agarwal, General Manager, OnePlus India, the OnePlus5 is definitely an affordable flagship smartphone. The handset is quite bigger and beautiful. Truly, it is a decent competitor to the several 2017 flagship smartphones.

OnePlus 5T Specifications:

Regarding the specifications, OnePlus 5T offers a 6.01-inch edge-to-edge Full Optic AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x2160 pixels. With this, the fingerprint scanner is moved to the back but still can be easily accessed with the index finger.

Equipped with Facial Recognition:

The Face Unlock feature is a new addition that enables the user to unlock the handset in just 0.4 seconds. In the imaging department, the OnePlus 5T scores good marks with its dual camera setup. The 16-megapixel Sony IMX 398 front camera with f/1.7 aperture is nothing new.

As quoted above, the optics has got a significant upgrade that enables the user to shot clicks even in low-light. The secondary 20-megapixel Sony IMX 376K has got f/1.7 aperture with Electronic Image Stabilisation. Moreover, you don’t need to crop the image and has got a Portrait Mode too.

Powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 chipset and Adreno 540 graphics, the OnePlus 5T has got 2 variants in terms of RAM and internal storage space – 6GB RAM/64GB ROM and the premium 8GB RAM/128GB ROM. It doesn’t offer any microSD card slot for expanding the default internal storage space.

Still Android Nougat:

Currently, the OnePlus 5T runs on Oxygen OS booting Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system and the company has confirmed Android 8.0 Oreo update in early 2018. This is a BIG let down when Samsung Galaxy S8 and Nokia 8 users are happy with the latest offering of Android Oreo.

The handset is powered by the same 3300mAh battery that is well known for its Dash Charge technology. Coming to the pricing, the OnePlus 5T 6GB variant will cost ₹32,999 and the premium variant 8GB RAM at ₹37,999.

OnePlus 5T Launch Offers:

The Indian smartphone lovers can purchase the latest OnePlus 5T midnight black coloured handset on Amazon India and OnePlusStore.in. If you happen to reside in Delhi NCR or Bangalore, then you can directly procure at OnePlus Experience Zones. As a launch offer, the company offers a cashback of ₹1500 when the customer purchases the handset using HDFC Credit or Debit card.

Interestingly, the Idea Cellular came with 1008GB 4G Data Offer. According to the offer, the Idea subscriber on recharging with ₹357 tariff plan will get daily 2GB of data (instead of 1.5GB data) for the next 18 months period. Though not a great offer, it’s good to claim goodies.

Also Read: Google Pixel 2 Vs Google Pixel 2 XL: What’s The Difference?

Leaving it aside, OnePlus 5T is an all affordable flagship smartphone and can be easily compared to other top Android phones including Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and Google Pixel 2.

With the success of SuperWeek 69 Plan, Vodafone India launched Chhota Champion pack to its prepaid subscribers. As per the telecom operator, this prepaid recharge plan offers great value and is truly affordable.

The Vodafone Chhota Champion pack offers 100 local and STD voice calling minutes and 100MB of 4G/3G data for a period of 28 days. The users should note that this plan is available PAN-India wise. However, the price may differ based on the telecom circle.

Chhota Champion 38 Plan:

There are reports that users in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Bihar & Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh telecom circles will get 200MB of 2G data instead of 100MB 4G/3G data. This Vodafone Chhota Champion pack ₹38 can be recharged at any Vodafone retail store, Official website, online recharge portals, MyVodafone App and USSD.

Addressing the launch of Vodafone Chhota Champion recharge plan, Mr Avneesh Khosla, Associate Director – Consumer Business, Vodafone India, said: “Vodafone continues to innovate and provide greater value for its customers. Vodafone Chhota Champion pack is another step in this direction. It is a first-of-its-kind integrated offering that allows you to stay connected for an entire month at an economical price.”

What’s Your Opinion?

Bharti Airtel is known to be a pioneer in offering such economical packs. The Airtel Freedom ₹28 pack offering 75MB 4G/3G/3G data used to the No#1 pack with users who have minimal data requirements. Vodafone India revamped it by adding 100 minutes of local and STD calls.

Truly, the Vodafone Chhota Champion ₹38 is a must have for the users who need only the bare minimum without spending too much. In the age of unlimited, it is good to have recharge packs meant for minimal requirements.

Also Read: Vodafone Offers 90GB 4G Data & Unlimited Calls for 6 Months @ ₹399

Every telecom network operator launches FRC’s so as to attract new users and make them comfortable under its umbrella. If you happen to be a new subscriber of Bharti Airtel, then it is definitely news for you.

For a seasoned customer, FRC may be a usual term. However, if the person is new to the telecom industry, then he might be puzzled on hearing this abbreviation. It is to be noted that FRC stands for First Recharge Coupon. It is basically done to activate the mobile connection.

First Recharge Vs Regular Recharge:

Incidentally, this First Recharge Coupon (FRC) is nothing but a minimum amount to recharge for the first time. Later on, the subscriber can do any regular recharge. Some telecom companies are allowing the users to enjoy the same benefit by asking them to perform SRC otherwise known as Second Recharge Coupon.

It is to be noted that recharge of First Recharge Coupon (FRC) should be done only at authorised Airtel stores. The other regular recharge can be done at any online or offline stores.

Right now, there are 14 First Recharge Coupon’s (FRC) offered by Bharti Airtel. To begin with, Airtel is still offering ₹1 FRC that facilitates the user to make all local mobile calls at just 1.2 paise/2secons for a period of 8 days. If the subscriber wants to renew this plan, he has to shell out ₹43 for a period of 27 days.

The FRC 51 offers a talktime of ₹25 and 50 MB 4G/3G data for 30 days. The tariff for local mobile calls, STD mobile calls and Landline calls are 1.5 p/sec, 1.75 p/sec, and 2.5 p/sec respectively. This tariff is valid for a period of 84 days.

Airtel FRC 495 – Unlimited Combo Benefits:

Recently, the company has launched FRC 495 that offers the combo benefits including unlimited local and STD calls, free outgoing in National roaming, 100 SMS/Day and 1GB/day 4G/3G data. The validity is restricted to 70 days. However, the company has allowed the users to enjoy the same b the nefits with second recharge.

FRC’s Offered by Bharti Airtel:

Also Read: Airtel Mera Pehla 4G Smartphone, Karbonn A40 Indian at ₹1399

Putting a break to incessant leaks, Google has thrown a few surprises at the launch of Google Pixel 2. The search giant has surely made its phone perfect competitor to Apple’s new iPhone X.

Whatever might be the reason, the last 10 years didn’t see any major improvements in the making of the smartphone. Most of the phone makers copied each other’s designs. Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is the remarkable blend of hardware and machine learning.

Though Google Pixel launched a year back, it could only grab 2 percent market share globally. Now, the innovation when combined with good sales and marketing network will surely help Google to make an impact. In fact, it could pose a serious threat to Apple and Samsung in the premium segment.

Google’s pragmatic approach makes the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, something really special both in terms of quality and functionality. Only if you happen to stare at these smartphones, you’ll be able to find the significant difference as they are aimed at very different kind of users.

Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL Specifications:

The shared or common specifications are as follows:

• “Active Edge” squeezable sides
• Chipset/Processor: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
• Adreno 540 GPU
• Memory: 4GB RAM
• Internal Storage: 64GB or 128GB
• Primary / Rear camera: 12.2-megapixel, 1.4μm pixel size, dual LED flash, Laser autofocus, Dual-pixel phase detection, Optical and electronic image stabilization, f/1.8 aperture lens
• Secondary / Front camera: 8MP, 1.4μm pixels, f/2.4 aperture lens, fixed focus, 1/3.2" sensor size
• Video: 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps
• USB-C, no wireless charging
• No headphone jack
• Bluetooth 5.0
• WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA,
• Latest Android 8.0 (Oreo) OS
• 18W power adapter and USB-C headphone dongle in box

Pixel 2 vs Pixel 2 XL: Here’s How They’re Different

For those unaware, Google Pixel 2 is manufactured by HTC. On the other hand, Google Pixel 2 XL is from LG’s manufacturing unit.

Let us look at the other key differences between Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL.

Which Phone Should You Buy?

As disclosed, the new handsets from Google are quite similar in specs. The purchase decision is purely based on your interests. If you want a larger phone with extended battery life, then Google Pixel 2 XL is for you.

However, if you just want Google’s killer camera without stretching the budget, then go to Google Pixel 2. Just to mention, if budget is not a constraint, then Google Pixel 2 XL is the best choice.

The pre-orders of the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL handsets will commence from 26th October and 1st November respectively across 1000+ stores including the online marketplace Flipkart.

What’s your opinion on the latest offering from Google? Share your views on comments.

Also Read: Sony Xperia XZ1 with Inbuilt 3D Creator and Best LCD Display Unveiled

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The third largest telecom network, Idea Cellular, joined the race by announcing a new plan that offers unlimited voice calls and 1GB of data. Incidentally, this plan is open to all 4G/3G/2G customers.

With the recent TRAI figures, Idea Cellular is losing many subscribers and is failing to lure new customers. The delay in Vodafone India – Idea Cellular merger combined with no new affordable plan announcements to counter Reliance Jio is helping the subscribers to port out.

Putting an end to it, Idea Cellular unveiled a new ₹198 plan that offers unlimited voice calls and 1GB of 4G/3G/2G data for a period of 28 days. It is a me-too plan following the footsteps of Airtel ₹199 plan that offers the same benefits of unlimited all local and STD calls and 1GB of 4G/3G/2G data.

It is to be noted that the same benefits are available for the new customers at just ₹178.

Reliance Jio ₹149 Vs Idea ₹198 Plan:

In contrast, Reliance Jio 149 plan offers unlimited voice calls, 300 SMS and 2GB of 4G data with 28 days validity. There is no restriction on voice calls as of now in Reliance Jio. Though it is rumoured that a cap of 300 minutes per day is being levied on the customers who are misusing the free voice calls benefit, there is no official information yet.

However, both Airtel and Idea Cellular have mentioned terms and conditions with a restriction of 300 minutes per day and 1200 minutes per week.

Also Read: Idea Cellular ₹348 Plan Offers Unlimited Calls, 1GB Data Per Day

Idea Cellular ₹357 Plan:

Apart from ₹198 plan, Idea Cellular also announced ₹357 plan that offers unlimited calls and 1GB/day data benefit. As said earlier, it is open to all 4G/3G/2G users. If you are a new subscriber, then you can get the benefit at a discounted price of ₹338 only.

With the similar reports pouring in, even Vodafone India is also offering the same benefits with ₹198 plan. This clearly shows that all the three operators are struggling hard to counter Reliance Jio’s ₹149 plan

Tokyo headquartered Sony Mobile Communications Inc has unveiled its flagship device Sony Xperia Z1 in the Indian market. The Sony Xperia XZ1 is the successor to the IP68 rated water and dust resistant Xperia XZ Premium.

Keeping up with the expectations, the Sony Xperia XZ1 is packed with optics to capture 3D images. Probably, this is the world’s first smartphone to have an inbuilt 3D creator that even allows the user to print images in 3D.

19-Megapixel Motion Eye Camera:

As said, the USP of Sony Xperia XZ1 is its 19-megapixel motion eye camera. It not only helps you to capture 3D photos but also shoots slow-motion videos at 960 fps. That’s really incredible. The smartphone also packs a 13-megapixel front camera.

Regarding the other specifications, Sony Xperia XZ1 sports the best LCD display in the market with 5.2-inch full HD X-reality Engine and TRILUMINIOUS display. This is really a remarkable HDR 10 compliant display when the users are looking for QHD resolution.

Though bezel-less design and the dual camera is missing, the Sony flagship handset is really hot with its Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset. Powered by high ergonomic DDR4 version 4GB RAM and Adreno 540 GPU, the Sony Xperia XZ1 provides inbuilt 64GB internal storage space expandable up to 256 GB using microSD card slot.

Regarding connectivity, the Sony Xperia XZ1 offers 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB 3.1 Type C 1.0 reversible connector, etc. The premium handset is backed by a non-removable 2700mAh battery that gives more than 15 hours battery juice with moderate usage.

Supported by Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging, the Xperia XZ1 runs on Android 8.0 Oreo out-of-the-box. You will get dual SIM (nano + nano) dual-standby (4G + 4G) for an ultimate 4G experience.

Boots the Latest Android Orea :

If one considers Android Oreo, then Sony Xperia XZ1 is probably the first handset leaving Google Pixel and Nexus devices to run the latest Android OS. As usual, you can get the best musical experience from Sony with improved loudspeaker volume.

The flagship Sony Xperia XZ1 is available for sale at a price of ₹44990. The smartphone has got Black, Moonlit Blue, Venus Pink, and Warm Silver colour variants. If you are an Amazon shopper, then you can avail up to 10,100 off on exchange of your old handset.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S8 & Galaxy S8+ Launched Starting at ₹57900

Considering the triluminous display, impressive camera and decent pricing, the new Sony Xperia XZ1 is worth considering. Let us know your thoughts on Sony’s claims.

Sony Xperia XZ1 3D Printing:

Chinese handset maker Gionee is back with A1 Plus smartphone in India. When compared to its predecessor A1, Gionee A1 Plus offers better specifications including a powerful dual rear camera.

The company has launched several handsets in the low and mid-end segments but Gionee A1 Plus has got decent specs to compete in the sub-30K range. The best thing about Gionee is its strong offline retail presence compared to other Chinese companies in India.

Gionee A1 Plus Specifications:

Regarding the specifications, the Gionee A1 Plus comes with curved edges on Mocha Gold metallic back. On the front, it sports a 6-inch display with 2.5D glass on it. Powered by an octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex A53 processor and 4GB RAM, it has 64GB inbuilt storage further expandable up to 256GB via a micro SD card slot.

On the camera front, Gionee A1 Plus has a dual (13-megapixel and 5-megapixel) camera with LED flash on the rear side. For selfie lovers, it sports a 20-megapixel front camera that can give vivid shots even in low-light.

Also Read: Vivo V5s - 20MP Moonlight Selfie Cam, 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM at ₹18990

If the reports are to be believed, the Gionee A1 Plus offers a DSLR-like effect photos. It is equipped with several modes to make the photography an easy affair. It includes Bokeh selfie mode, slow-motion, time-lapse, and night mode for crystal clear photos.

The home button provides a multi-usage and doubles as a fingerprint sensor. It runs on Android Nougat 7.0 operating system with Amigo 4.0 UI on top. Backed up by a large 4,550mAh battery and 18W ultra-fast charger, the handset is quite reliable. It has got two speaker grills on the bottom edge

There’s also a provision for the panic button that gets automated by pressing the home button thrice. Connectivity wise, this dual-SIM phone offers VoLTE, Wi-Fi, micro-USB port, Bluetooth, and NFS.

What’s Your Opinion?

Overall, Gionee A1 Plus is a decent smartphone and the company bets good hardware-software combo to attract the customers. Though the exact price is not announced yet, one can expect it to be under ₹30,000. There would be Huawei Honor 8 Pro and OnePlus 5 as the prime contenders.

Also Read: Huawei Honor 8 Pro Launched with 5.7-inch QHD Display at ₹29999

Huawei Technologies, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, has launched Honor 8 Pro smartphone in India with a price tag of ₹29,999. It’s child brand Honor series has got a good reputation in the Indian market.

The Honor 8 Pro is the successor to the last year’s Honor 8 and is exclusive to Amazon India. Starting from the day of its launch, Huawei Honor 8 Pro is being compared to the latest flagship killer OnePlus 5.

Huawei Honor 8 Pro Specifications:

Specs wise, the Honor 8 Pro is handsome enough to contain the smartphone lovers. The handset sports a complete metal body design. It sports a 5.7-inch Quad HD display with 2560x1440 pixels and 515 ppi. Powered by Kirin 960 processor, the handset packs 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage and can be expanded using microSD card.

The Honor 8 Pro makes you bring bokeh effect with its dual 12.0-megapixel lenses. On the front side, you’ll have an 8-megapixel one. You can compare its performance with Samsung Galaxy S8 and OnePlus 5 as Honor 8 Pro has got some decent imaging properties.

Connectivity wise, the Honor 8 Pro supports 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, Infra-Red, USB Type-C port and NFC support. Backed by a 4000mAh battery, it supports fast charging. The handset runs on Android Nougat 7.0 with EMUI 5.1 on top of it.

Also Read: OnePlus 5 Launched Globally with Dual Camera Setup and 8GB RAM

The Real Competitor to OnePlus 5:

If you are looking for a high-end smartphone on ₹30,000 budget, then this will give a stiff competition to the OnePlus 5. If you are comfortable to spend 3K extra for a terrific display and great battery juice without any issue of a processor, then Huawei Honor 8 Pro is the best bet in the Indian market.

With decent specs, Honor 8 Pro commands a good position. Of all, the 2K screen with 5.7-inch display makes you love the phone in the first look itself. Multi-tasking, loading heavy app and games without any lag is the USP and you can’t miss it.

Buy Huawei Honor 8 Pro on Amazon India.

Reliance Jio, the only VoLTE-only mobile network operator in India, has revamped its existing plans and unveiled a new ₹399 plan that offers 84GB data for a period of 84 days.

Reliance Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan Upgraded Plans:

As per the telecom analysts, the new ₹399 plan will surely disrupt the market which is heading towards a consolidated phase. The new ₹399 plan is for JioPrime subscribers where the user can access 1GB daily data with a validity of 84 days. This is same as that of the existing ₹309 offering by Jio. In the case of the postpaid subscribers, the benefit is extended for 90 days. That means 90GB data for 90 days with a price tag of ₹399.

It is to be noted that Reliance Jio’s popular plan Dhan Dhana Dhan Offer will end on July 15th and the subscribers should recharge with ₹309 or ₹509 plan to continue the existing benefits. However, the teleco launched this new ₹399 scheme to disrupt the market with its aggressive pricing strategy.

Also Read: Reliance Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan Offer Gives 84GB Data for 84 Days at ₹309

Additionally, the company announced ₹349 plan that offers 20GB of data with 56 days of validity. It is to be noted that there’s no concept of daily data in this ₹349 plan.

While coming back to the revision of plans, starting July 15th the existing ₹309 and ₹509 plans will offer 1GB of daily data and 2GB daily data respectively with a validity of 56 days. Only the validity of the plans has been changed from 28 to 56 days. In the case of postpaid subscribers, the benefit is extended for 60 days.

Extra 30GB and Extra 30 Days Validity:

Interestingly, there are some minor revisions to the higher plans as well. Earlier, the 999 plan used to provide 60GB data for 60 days. This has been changed with an offer of 90GB data for 90 days. Similarly, the ₹1999 plan used to offer 125GB for 90 days and now it offers 155GB with a validity of 120 days.

The premium plans including ₹4999 and the ₹9999 plan will now offer 380GB and 780GB for 210 and 390 days respectively. Clearly, one can observe that these newly revised plans come with an extra 30GB data and extra 30 days validity.

An another Masterstroke from Reliance Jio:

It is to be noted that all these plans are valid for JioPrime subscribers and there’s no mention of Jio non-Prime members. The USP of Reliance Jio is its unlimited free voice calls and free access to its premium apps.

The new Reliance Jio ₹399 plan looks attractive and will definitely hamper the share of Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular. Let’s wait for the counter strategy of these incumbent telecom players

Also Read: Reliance Jio Data Breached: Company Says Unverified But Probe On

The country’s second largest telecom operator, Vodafone India, announced a new night pack to its Super series. As per the SuperNight pack, the Vodafone prepaid subscriber can enjoy unlimited 3G/4G data without any restrictions.

Vodafone SuperNight Pack @ ₹29:

The new SuperNight offer from Vodafone India is meant for prepaid users and is valid only between 1 AM to 6 AM. This SuperNight pack costs ₹29 and can be activated any time of the day. Apart from this, the telecom company also launched a hourly night pack at just ₹6 per hour. That said, this hourly pack gives a complete data freedom.

The unlimited 3G/4G data offer on Vodafone SuperNight can be used to browse and download the world of entertainment. One can avail the Vodafone Play subscription for free that gives access to enjoy 150+ live TV channels, 14000 movies and TV shows and all genres of music.

The Vodafone prepaid user can activate the SuperNight plan from his/her smartphone. Just dial 4444# or one can purchase this hourly pack from Vodafone India retail touch points.

Also Read: Vodafone Red 499 Postpaid Plan Offers Unlimited Voice Calling and 3GB 4G Data

Addressing the launch of the SuperNight plan, Mr Sandeep Kataria, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone India, said: “We are delighted to bring Vodafone SuperNight to our customers under our ‘Super’ umbrella. Like all other ‘Super’ products, it breaks all price barriers that concern customers in their use of the internet. “

Innovative & Engaging:

Vodafone India is quite successful with its hourly packs. Starting from Vodafone SuperHour at just ₹16, the company has been offering many such innovative packs to attract today’s youth. For a fixed and nominal price, the company has been offering Vodafone SuperNet packs on the pan-India basis.

It’s good to see that the Vodafone India has been rolling one or the other packs to keep the users connected. This is truly an innovative product to keep the customers engaged on its SuperNet.

Also Read: Vodafone SuperHour Plan to Offer Unlimited 4G/3G Data Starting at Just ₹16

The Lenovo company, Motorola Mobility, officially launched the Moto C Plus in India. Starting June 20, this entry-level phone will be exclusively available on Flipkart at a price of ₹6999.

The phone will now replace the popular Moto E series and is purely meant for the budget crowd. After the launch of Moto C series in offline market, it was expected that the company will follow the same strategy for the new Moto C Plus. However, it was a quick surprise that the company made the product an online exclusive.

Also Read: Motorola Moto Z2 Play with Snapdragon 626 SoC Opens for Pre-Booking

Motorola Moto C Plus Specifications:

In terms of design, Moto C Plus sports a 5-inch HD IPS display (720 x 1280 pixels and 294 ppi) with 2.5D curved glass. Powered by a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6737 quad-core chipset and 2GB RAM, the handset packs 16GB internal storage further expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card slot.

When compared to the earlier phones that carried on-screen navigation keys, the new Moto C Plus comes with hardware capacitive keys.

In terms of imaging properties, the Moto C Plus sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture. Similarly, on the front end, the handset features 2-megapixel selfie camera along with a flashlight. This is really a big let down when the competitors are offering better imaging specs.

The Motorola Moto C Plus is a dual SIM handset (two nano-SIM card slots) that offers all the required connectivity options including 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, micro USB slot, 3.5 mm headphone jack, FM etc.

Also Read: Lenovo Vibe B 4G LTE Phone with Entry Level Specs Launched for ₹5799

USP of Moto C Plus:

The highlight feature is its latest Android 7.0 Nougat with Google Assistant on top. The other USP of the handset is its massive 4,000mAh user replaceable battery with a support for fast charging. The company claims that Moto C Plus can easily last up to 2 days depending on the usage.

The Moto C Plus comes in three different colour variants including Metallic Cherry, Fine Gold, and Starry Black. The handset is a Flipkart exclusive product and the first-day buyers are entitled to get loads of benefits. One of them is a extra 30GB 4G data offer from Reliance Jio.

What’s Your Take?

Despite so many USP’s, I’m of the opinion that the Motorola Moto C is an overpriced product when the competitors are providing more for less. For example, the popular Redmi 4 handset from Xiaomi offers advanced features like metal body and fingerprint scanner. However, the Xiaomi suffers as its handsets are still on Android Marshmallow when Motorola is running the latest Android Nougat.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi 4 Budget Smartphone Launched with Snapdragon 435 SoC for ₹6999

The state-run telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) redefined the broadband speed across the country. Starting May 1 onwards, the telecom service provider doubled the speed of broadband to 4 Mbps.

4 Mbps Minimum Speed - A Game Changer:

As per the reports, this upgrade is applicable to all the broadband plans offered by BSNL. It is to be noted that this speed upgrade will not attract any additional cost from the subscribers. Moreover, the FUP (Fair Usage Policy) quota is also enhanced up to 250%. For example, the 20GB FUP limit is increased up to the 70GB edge.

Last time, BSNL doubled the broadband speed to 2 Mbps in 2015. This new move by BSNL will definitely be a game changer in the broadband market. For example, the most popular BB249 plan used to offer 1GB data at 2Mbps speed. But with the recent upgrade, BB249 will now offer 1GB of data at 4Mbps and later on unlimited data at 1Mbps. Minimum 4Mbps download speed is definitely a game changer.

Also Read: BSNL BB249 Plan Gets Validity Extension till June 2017

BSNL Will Invest Rs 4300 Cr for Infrastructure Development

Meanwhile, the state-run telecom company is all set to invest ₹4300 crore during the financial year 2018, for upgrading its infrastructure facilities including the installation of 75,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation.

A special task has been approved to set up 3000 more telecom towers in Maoist-hit states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. The decision has been taken to improve satellite bandwidth and communication in the remote areas and deep inside the Maoist hot-beds. For the first time, the state-run telecom service provider has set up 1800 telecom towers based on solar power.

Also Read: Bharti Airtel to Extend V-Fiber Broadband Operations to 10 More Cities

The sensational Reliance Jio has added 109 million subscribers as on March 31, 2017. As per the company, it is planning to install 1 lakh new towers in addition to its existing over 1 lakh mobile sites.

Reliance Jio is the only PAN-India service provider to deploy its LTE network using the 800MHz, 1800MHz, and 2300MHz bands. The company even claimed that Jio is the world’s largest Greenfield 4G LTE wireless broadband network.

Also Read: Reliance Jio Offers 810GB Data at ₹9999 with 14 Months Validity

Reliance Jio and Samsung Pact to Reach Rural India:

Apart from providing such a massive 4G LTE network, Reliance Jio is consistently working with Samsung to expand its operations in rural areas of the country. Incidentally, Samsung is the only 4G equipment provider to Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and will provide all the required equipment for over 1,40,000 mobile sites across India.

Till date, only the incumbent telecom players including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India have over two lakh mobile sites. The Reliance Jio and Samsung infrastructure pact will help expand the current network capacity as well as network coverage.

Future Ready Network for 5G Services:

By providing seamless indoor and outdoor coverage in the urban areas and extending its reach to rural areas, the Reliance Jio aims o cater its services to over 90% of the population. Apart from expanding its 4G LTE network, Reliance Jio is building a future ready network that can deploy 5G services too.

Reliance Jio claims to be the largest network globally with over 110 crore Gigabyte of data usage per month and 220 crore voice and video calls minutes a day.

Reliance Jio – The New 4G King:

“Jio users are today consuming nearly as much data as on all the mobile networks in the US and 50 per cent more data than mobile networks in China in a clear indication that India will adopt digitisation and Digital Life faster than anyone else in the world.”

Also Read: Reliance Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan Offer Gives 84GB Data for 84 Days at ₹309

TRAI’s latest information on download speed clearly proves the above statement. As per TRAI MySpeed Portal, Reliance Jio has got an average download speed of 15 Mbps in March 2017 which is almost twice of the other incumbent telecom service providers.

The regulator of the telecommunications sector in India, TRAI, has asked Reliance Jio to withdraw its 3-month complementary Jio Summer Surprise offer. As per the reports revealed by TRAI, the offer is not in accordance with the regulatory framework.

Also Read: Reliance Jio Offers Summer Surprise, Extends Prime Enrollment till April 15

TRAI has officially asked Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio to withdraw its latest Summer Surprise Offer where the subscribers would enjoy unlimited data and free voice calls at just ₹303. As the offer is not in sync with the TRAI regulations, Reliance Jio has even acknowledged that it would withdraw the offer as soon as it is feasible operationally.

With this decision, the shares of Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular increased by 2% and ended on a profit note. At last, TRAI has got some cheers to the incumbent telecom players.

Reliance Jio Fully Complied with TRAI’s Guidelines:

The telecom operator has to fully comply with the TRAI’s guidelines and thus it even displayed the message on its official website. As per the information, Jio Summer Surprise Offer would be withdrawn in the next few days. Incidentally, the executives at the local Reliance Digital Stores are openly declaring that today (07th April. 2017) would be the last day to claim the offer.

It is to be noted that all the customers who had already subscribed will be eligible for the offer. As per the report, over 80 million users have subscribed to Jio Prime Membership and would get 3 months complimentary services apart from the originally purchased plan.

Also Read: Reliance Jio Prime Membership – Free Benefits, Enrolment and Procedure

Jio Reaching Target:

Earlier, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani said that the deadline for Jio Prime has been extended to April 15th. With 7 days short of its deadline, will Reliance Jio be able to clock 100 million subscribers target?

The state-run telecom company BSNL has extended the validity of STV 26 pack by another three months. The popular STV 26 pack offers unlimited voice calls for 26 hours duration. As per the initial plan, the promotion period has expired on March 31, 2017. However, due to its unprecedented success, BSNL has revamped the validity of promotional offer by another three months.

Also Read: BSNL Offers Unlimited Voice Calls at ₹26 for 26 Hours Up to 31st March

To recap, this STV 26 pack offers unlimited voice calling (both local and national) for just ₹26 for a period of 26 hours. The BSNL prepaid subscribers can make unlimited on-net and off-net calls within the home circle. This is a good deal when the user voice calling is limited to a home circle. If the user makes a call outside his home circle, then standard tariff will be applied.

Also Read: Govt Launches Pre-Loaded BSNL SIM Cards to Foreign Tourists

BSNL, The Best Among its Peers:

The unlimited voice calling STV 26 is the best among its peers. When you compare the offering with Vodafone SuperHour, BSNL offers unlimited calling at just 1 per hour. However, Vodafone is charging 7 per hour with the same benefit but free calls across India.

Other Interesting Plans from BSNL:

Similarly, BSNL is offering 10GB data per day with its ₹249 in Broadband sector. In the case of ₹339 plan, BSNL is offering 2GB data per day along with unlimited on-net voice calls and 25 min off-net calls per day in response to Airtel’s 349 plan. In response to Jio freebies, the telecom companies are finding it hard to retain their subscribers and offering huge discounts that are eventually denting their profits.

In a statement released, the state-run telecom company has specified that none has ported to Jio from BSNL. Do you think is it worth porting to Reliance Jio from BSNL? Please share your thoughts.

Must Read: Reliance Jio Offers Summer Surprise, Extends Prime Enrollment till April 15

Malaysian Telecom company Maxis Communications-owned Aircel has introduced a new FRC 83 to offer exclusive benefits while in roaming. The telecom operator that has announced a merger with Reliance Communications is leaving no stone to attract new customers.

Also Read: Aircel Offers Free On-Net Calls for 90 Days & Data for 30 Days with FRC148 in Delhi

Aircel Holi Bonanza:

Aircel users can now first recharge with FRC 83 to get loads of benefits while in national roaming. The pack is valid for a period of 180 days and one can enjoy low call tariff. Apart from FRC 83, Aircel has got many other plans for its prepaid users in this Holi season. As per a new recharge plan, 2GB of 3G data can be availed with 28 days validity.

Addressing the launch of new recharge packs, Mr Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel, said: “Aircel is ready to spice up this festive season with special offers. New Aircel subscribers at just ₹165 will have advantages of long validity, talk time, competitive tariff, incoming roaming free, extended data validity and data offerings per GB.”

Definitely, this will be one of the ‘best value for money’ offers and with Aircel. Undoubtedly, one has to agree that Aircel always offers ‘extra’ value to its customers starting its inception.

Aircel Known for its Innovative Offers:

Though Vodafone India has been credited an innovative company with the launch of SuperHour packs, Aircel has got a unique distinction of being aggressive in terms of its data plans with its pocket internet. Recently, the telecom company has also introduced unlimited 3G data at just ₹15 but limited to Tamil Nadu telecom circle.

Telecom industry has been witnessing a big consolidation amidst severe competition. If everything works well, Aircel would soon merge with Reliance Communications and would lead the fight against the big three.

Also Read: Aircel Rolls Out RC14 to Offer Unlimited Voice Calls with 1 Day Validity