As per the latest information by Leakster John Prosser, the Google Pixel 5 could retail at $700.
Don’t know how the search engine giant will be able to justify the $200 premium for Google Pixel 5. It is to be noted that the same processor and camera setup is seen in Google Pixel 4a 5G and Google Pixel 5.
Probably, there might be some add-ons such as more RAM and inbuilt storage space for Google Pixel 5.
Let’s wait for September 30 or else get disturbed by these leaks!!!
It’s not surprising to say that Poco is gaining popularity not just in the Indian market but worldwide for its great value-for-money. When everyone is waiting for Poco F2, this midrange brand has launched its new offering Poco X3 at ₹16,999.
By going through the positive reviews in the European market, the launch of Poco X3 was imminent. Moreover, the official listing by Flipkart confirmed its Indian release.
To the unaware, Poco X3 was officially launched in India on September 22nd and the sale would commence from 29th September. Let’s go through how impressive the hardware is to be packed under 20K range.
The Poco X3 sports a unique design with a 6.67-inch display and Full HD+ resolution. The screen panel has got a fluid 120Hz refresh rate and a touching sampling rate of 240Hz. This is really a great inclusion in this price range.
Protected by Gorilla Glass 5 covering, the smartphone is quite handy.
Under the hood, Poco X3 has got the latest octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G chipset and Adreno 618 GPU. The company claims that the Adreno 618 GPU is 50% more effective than its last-gen in handling the graphics.
On the rear, the Poco X3 has got quad-camera setup. It includes 64mp primary Sony lens, 13mp ultra-wide lens, 2mp macro shooter, and 2mp depth sensor. The 20mp selfie camera is pretty good.
The first impressions say that camera’s performance is okay but lacks consistency. If you are a serious content creator, then stay away from it. Otherwise, a decent camera setup for day-to-day activities.
There’s a big bump in the battery segment. In contrast to the global variant’s 5120mAh battery, the Indian variant has got a massive 6000mAh battery that can easily standby for 2 days at least on paper.
I’ve observed a couple of negative reviews with respect to 5120mAh battery. Some users complained that it lasted just for 12 hours. That might be the sole reason to accommodate a bigger battery in the Indian variant.
For a big battery to charge, the Poco X3 needs decent fast charging support. That’s the reason, it supports 33W fast charging via USB Type C. Needless to say, Poco X3 is equipped with dual stereo speakers, sound quality optimization and voice changer with the new Game Turbo 3.0.
In order to keep thermals in check, the handset is equipped with LiquidCool technology than reduces the temperature by up to 6 degrees.
Though the Indian Poco X3 doesn’t support NFC, you get the other rewards including Ad-free experience, IP 53 flash resistance, and Google Discover feed.
On the connectivity front, the handset supports VoWi-Fi, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB Type C support. If you are fond of MIUI 12 without ads, then Poco X3 will not disappoint you.
Clad in Cobalt Blue and Shadow Fray, the entry-level variant 6GB RAM + 64GB ROM is priced aggressively at ₹16,999. If you want to increase the internal space to 128GB then go for the mid variant that cost ₹18,499. The higher-end one 6GB RAM + 256GB ROM variant costs ₹19,999.
Though the Poco X3 has got impressive hardware, it has to challenge the competition thrown by Realme 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy M31s, Realme Narzo 20 Pro and more in the future.
Overall, a great value for money which makes it hard to resist. Definitely, the best budget smartphone you can buy under 20K.
Do you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.
Also Read: Poco M2 with Helio G80 & 6GB RAM Priced at ₹10999 (Flipkart Exclusive)
Reliance Jio has been adding prepaid IPL plans to attract cricket lovers. The new ₹598 recharge offers Disney+ Hotstar subscription. Apart from that, it offers daily 2GB data and unlimited voice calls.
With IPL 2020 season starting on 19th September, the telecom companies are bundling their plans with Disney+ Hotstar membership. Generally, the VIP subscription of Disney Plus Hotstar costs ₹399 per year.
The premium membership plan offers access to live sports and all content (excluding American shows) on the Hotstar platform. Now with Reliance Jio in hand, you can watch IPL 2020 live in action as a complementary offer.
However, one should note that the validity of ₹598 recharge is 56 days. That means you can watch the entire IPL 2020 season for free when you recharge with Jio ₹598. To the unaware, Indian Premier League 2020 starts on 19th September and ends on 8th November.
While coming back to Jio ₹598 recharge, it offers daily 2GB data, 100 SMS per day and unlimited Jio to Jio calls. For non-Jio voice calls, you get 2,000 minutes. All with a validity of 56 days. Plus, Disney+ Hotstar subscription worth ₹399.
If Jio ₹598 prepaid plan is expensive for your wallet, then you can even try Jio ₹401 recharge that offers Disney+ Hotstar VIP Annual membership. This plan offers 90GB data (daily 3GB data + 6GB), unlimited Jio to Jio calls, 1000 minutes for non-Jio calls, and daily 100 SMS.
However, the validity of this pack is just 28 days. That means you can’t watch the full schedule of IPL 2020. You need to recharge again for availing the premium content access.
Bharti Airtel also started wooing the IPL lovers with its ₹401 plan. The new offering from Airtel packs 30GB data (validity 28 days) and Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscription. Here, you will not get any voice calls or SMS benefits.
Coming back to Reliance Jio Disney+ Hotstar prepaid packs, there’s a ₹777 plan with 84 days validity. It offers 131GB data (1.5GB/day + 5GB), unlimited Jio calling, 3000 min of non-Jio calls, 100 SMS/day and Disney+ Hotstar annual subscription.
There’s a ₹2599 long term pack that comes with a validity of 365 days. In this pack, you get 740GB data (daily 2GB data + 10GB), unlimited Jio calling, 12000 non-Jio FUP minutes, daily 100 SMS benefit and Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscription.
To activate the Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscription,
In short, the prepaid mobile subscribers (whether you are with Reliance Jio or Bharti Airtel) can get a one-year Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscription for free by recharging with the Cricket Plans as stated above.
Do you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.
Also Read: JioFiber Launches New Tariff Plans (With 30-Day Free Trial)
Starting today, Vi becomes the new brand identity of Vodafone Idea Limited. And thus, the final step in the integration of two telecom brands complete.
Though both the brands (Vodafone India and Idea Cellular) merged two years ago, it completed the network integration today. Filing the same with stock exchanges, the Vi is the largest telecom integration in the world.
Here onwards, there will be a single brand identity instead of separate Vodafone and Idea networks. The subscribers of Vodafone and Idea (both the prepaid/postpaid) can now do a single recharge (or postpaid payment) on a new website https://www.myvi.in/ and mobile Vi app.
As a result, the Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) stock hit its 15-month high of ₹13.45 during Friday’s intra-day trade and now settled at ₹12.40. To the unaware, Vodafone holds 44.39 per cent and Adity Birla Group holds 27.66 per cent in this JV.
It is to be remembered that nothing will change at the customer-end. Your existing SIM card continues on Vi. There will be no change in your prepaid/postpaid plan benefits including the validity. Your existing free subscriptions with Amazon Prime and Netflix will continue with Vi. 199 continues to be the customer care number.
It is to be noted that Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla is the chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited. According to Mr Birla, the Vi (read it as We) is future-ready and is committed to accelerate India’s progression towards a digital economy and build a better tomorrow.
In a similar note, Vodafone Group Plc. CEO Mr Nick said that with the new branding Vi, the company has promised a stronger, better, faster and future-fit network built on many principles of 5G architecture.
Vodafone Idea faces an outstanding AGR due of about ₹50,000 crores. Recently, the Supreme Court directed the telecom companies to pay 10% of the AGR due amount this year and the reaming balance in 10 instalments.
With this, the company has to go for fundraising plans to meet debt and future capital requirements. Shockingly, the company has already reported a net loss of ₹25,460 crores for the last June quarter.
A common brand is always a good thing. However, the industry analysts feel that there should be an improvement in network experience by upgrading infrastructure and customer support. If the rumours are to be believed, there is still a gap tower-wise integration is yet to complete.
Leaving it aside, let’s hope this new brand Vi paves for the growth of the third-largest telecom operator in the fiercely-competitive Indian telecom market.
Also Read: JioFiber Launches New Tariff Plans (With 30-Day Free Trial)
True to its claim, Xiaomi has earned a good brand image for its Mi Android One handsets. Undoubtedly, the Redmi Note series has a bigger market but Android One devices are equally popular all over the world.
The stupendous success of Mi A1 has raised the hopes on Mi A2 series. However, the moderate battery and lack of 3.5mm headphone jack had a negative effect despite its great camera. Without digging the past further, let’s move on to the latest 3rd generation Android One offering.
The 6.08-inch Mi A3 handset is made of glass and metal. Yet, the phone looks gorgeous in design and build. With Triple Gorilla Glass 5 protection, the handset is nice and sturdy to hold.
“More than White” color variant has got a huge fan base when compared to the other variants (“Not just Blue” and “Kind of Grey”).
Leaving the color aside, the clean software of Mi A3 makes it’s a right ambassador of Android One program. At one go, you feel like holding Google Pixel as the icons and wallpaper look one and the same. It has got AMOLED display with 720p (1560x720) resolution.
Though there’s a bit of negativity (Redmi Note 7 Pro has 2340x1080) with respect to the resolution, AMOLED would definitely click for an average user.
For the first time, Mi has got an in-display fingerprint sensor and it’s pretty good in terms of screen unlocking.
The imaging specs of Mi A2 were really great. And, the Xiaomi continued its legacy by getting 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor with f/1.79 aperture in Mi A3. The camera has delivered pretty shots with great color representation.
On the front, a 32-megapixel camera has got AI support.
Performance-wise, the Mi A3 is a powerhouse with Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset and 4GB RAM (retailing at ₹12,999). It has also got higher variant 6GB RAM+128GB storage that costs ₹15,999.
The bigger 4030mAh battery and 18W fast charging support (bundled with 10W charger) make it durable enough to last a day and beyond.
The stock Android 9.0 Pie (Google software) makes it a clear winner when compared with the likes of Redmi Note 7 Pro, Realme 5 Pro, Samsung Galaxy M 30, etc. In short, Xiaomi Mi A3 is a great package with an excellent battery and stock Android experience.
However, if you are not bothered by clean Android software then there are many options.
Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S First Impressions: Redmi Note 7 Plus 48MP Camera
Gone are the days of getting a compromise in budget handsets. Whether it is specs or features, there’s a smartphone for every need. Recently, the Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has extended its product line up by announcing the launch of Redmi Note 7S in the Indian market.
Interestingly, the new launch added confusion to the existing Redmi 7 series. To the unaware, Xiaomi has got 4 handsets in this Redmi 7 series (namely Redmi Note 7 Pro, Redmi Note 7, Redmi 7, and the latest Redmi Note 7S).
Specs wise, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S sits exactly between the popular Redmi Note 7 and the Redmi Note 7 Pro. If one has to go by the rumours, the Chinese electronics giant has decided to phase out the Redmi Note 7 handset. And this position will be occupied by the latest Redmi Note 7S.
Though there’s a scope for confusion, the company’s stand should be appreciated for offering the best in the package. Let’s find out whether the Redmi Note 7S is a good buy or one should consider the possible alternatives before investing hard earned money.
The latest Redmi Note 7S carries the same design sported by Redmi Note 7 and the Redmi Note 7 Pro. The glass body with Aura design (Dual Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection) gives it a premium yet sturdy feel. The P2i coating protects against the accidental splashes.
It has a 6.3-inch full HD+ Dot Notch display with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution having 19.5:9 aspect ratio. With Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE octa-core processor and 4GB RAM, one can expect graphics intensive games like PUBG in a butter smooth note. The 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM is equally good in real time scenario.
The 4000mAh mammoth battery supported by Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 technology gives the handset run for the money. However, the sales box package just includes the 5V/2A charger. The inclusion of 5V/2A charger and USB type-C cable, 3.5mm headphone jack, IR blaster, hybrid SIM tray are other important inclusions of this package.
The USP of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S is its 48MP + 5MP AI dual rear camera set up. The AI scene detection with f/1.8 aperture lens makes it a good handheld night photography gear. The 13MP selfie shooter with f/2.0 and AI scene detection extends its trustworthiness.
48MP camera is the talk of the town. However, one should note that 48MP resolution is activated only in the Pro settings. By default, the Redmi Note 7S sports a 12MP camera shooter. Thus, if you want to explore the USP one should manually tap those settings.
Unless you require a DSLR performance, a 12MP shooter will always be sufficient enough for the normal day to day usage.
What’s Your Opinion?
On the pricing side, one can grab the 3GB+32GB ROM variant at ₹10,999 and the 4GB+64GB ROM at ₹12,999. If you happen to compare the price with that of Redmi Note 7 then the 7S is definitely 1K premium owing to its 48MP shooter.
In simple words, if you’re looking at a 48MP camera than consider this budget king Redmi Note 7S. Or else, grab the Redmi Note 7 at the cheap end before Xiaomi phases it out. If you’re little open with the 14K budget then there’s nothing better than Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro with flagship Snapdragon 855 processor.
Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Y3 First Impressions – Best Budget Selfie Camera
Vodafone Idea Limited, India’s largest telecom operator, has upgraded its 4G network in Central and Eastern India including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand states.
Though the Idea Cellular network has 4G coverage in all these 4 states, its partner Vodafone is still on 3G. With the latest upgrade, all the customers in these 2 telecom circles will be able to enjoy high-speed internet 4G services.
As per the report, the Vodafone Idea 4G is now available in 4565 towns of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh telecom circle. It includes the important towns covering Bhopal, Bhilai-Dur, Bilaspur, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar, Ujjain etc.
Similarly, the Vodafone Idea 4G rollout has taken place in 2471 towns of Bihar and Jharkhand telecom circle including Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bokaro, Darbhanga, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Ranchi etc.
As a launch offer, Vodafone Idea Ltd has announced complimentary usage of 4GB of 4G data with a validity period of 10 days. The subscribers just need to upgrade their SIM and handset.
The Mumbai-headquartered PAN-India GSM operator has made all the arrangements to meet accelerating demand for 4G network. With the latest 4G rollout, over 9.5 million users of Vodafone Idea network in Bihar and Jharkhand Telecom Circle will be benefitted.
Similarly, the new 4G upgrade will have a positive impact on 3.2 crore subscribers in the Central Indian state Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh telecom circle.
On this special occasion, Vodafone Idea has also launched a new ₹119 prepaid plan to counter Reliance Jio’s ₹98 recharge. The Vodafone’s offering has unlimited voice calls, 1GB of 4G/3G/2G data with no SMS benefits.
The validity of the new plan is 28 days. Though the plan is currently limited to specific Telecom circles, it will soon be a PAN-India offering.
The best thing about this ₹119 prepaid plan is that it doesn’t have any FUP voice calling limit. However, the main constraint is its ZERO SMS benefits.
Also Read: Vodafone Super VoLTE Services Now in Rajasthan Circle
After a lot of criticism and complaints, the statutory body of the telecommunications sector has finally stepped in.
If reports are to be believed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sent separate letters to Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea asking them to provide information to the subscribers immediately.
The information should be clear and transparent manner. The SMS should include the details and the validity of the plan. It is said that the SMS should clearly specify the minimum recharge plan. The TRAI also directed that the minimum recharge can also be debited from the subscriber’s prepaid account balance.
TRAI made it mandatory not to deactivate SIMs till such time the subscriber maintains sufficient balance equal to the minimum recharge amount.
What’s Your Opinion?
The latest decision by TRAI is nothing more than an eyewash for the millions of rural and downtrodden people. In the name of bumping ARPU, the telecom companies can’t charge for the incoming facility.
Hope TRAI warns the Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea companies to reconsider their new pricing strategy.
Reliance Jio in its 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) has announced the launch of Jio GigaFiber. This is nothing but Reliance Jio’s FTTH home broadband solution. Though the company has been testing it on a trial basis, Mr Mukesh Ambani has officially launched the service.
The JioGigaFiber is meant to provide the most advanced fibre-based broadband services enabling a faster internet experience. The ultra-fast 1Gbps internet speed will now be a reality. Addressing the gathering, Isha Ambani quoted, “Gone are the days of Mbps, now it will be about Gbps.
In the Jio GigaFiber setup process, the user will get access to a router and GigaFiber Set Top Box (STB) that will offer a 4K resolution on its channels. Apart from this, the user can place calls to Giga TV devices or mobile users across India. It provides a virtual reality experience where one can control switches in the house from outside as well. The Jio GigaFiber is an all-in-one solution for landline, broadband, cable TV, home surveillance, and home automation.
Also Read: Reliance JioFiber to Offer Broadband Plans with 100GB Data at ₹500 in 100 Towns
The Jio Giga TV Set-top Box promises 600 plus movie channels and millions of songs as per the customer demand. The STB will enable multi-party video conferencing from your living room. Undoubtedly, this will first disrupt the home broadband segment and then the cable TV service providers.
In short, the launch of Jio GigaFiber can trigger the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Starting from ultra high-definition entertainment to virtual reality experience, Jio GigaFiber will revolutionize Indian Homes and enhance the competency making India future-ready.
The Reliance Jio company is planning to roll out Jio GigaFiber service in 1100 cities. Starting 15th August, one can register for the same at MyJio and Jio.com. The highest number of registrations will get the first priority in the largest greenfield fixed-line broadband rollout of the world.
Along with the announcement of Jio GigaFiber, Mr Mukesh Ambani also launched JioPhone 2 at an introductory price of ₹2999. Starting August 15, the JioPhone will now have YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp apps that can even work on voice commands.
As said earlier, Reliance Industries launched a high-end variant of JioPhone named JioPhone 2. It sports a 2.4-inch QVGA (240x320 pixels) display and runs on KaiOS operating system. Powered by 512MB RAM, it has an internal storage space of 4GB. Using a microSD card, one can expand it up to 128GB. Optics wise, it sports a 2-megapixel rear camera and 0.3-megapixel VGA front-facing snapper.
Backed by a 2000mAh battery, the JioPhone 2 is a dual-SIM smart feature phone that has LTE, VoLTE and VoWi-Fi. The second SIM just supports 2G. The other connectivity options include GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, and FM. Incidentally, the latest version supports Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp apps. Starting 15th August, the JioPhone 2 will be open for booking at Jio stores across India.
Furthermore, you can replace older JioPhone for a new Jio Phone 2 for just ₹500. Starting July 21st, the new Monsoon Hungama Offer enables the user to exchange their existing feature phone at just ₹501. With more than 25 million JioPhone users and the addition of JioPhone 2 to its portfolio will definitely mark exciting times ahead.
Also Read: Jio4G VoLTE Feature Phone Unveiled for an Effective Price of ₹0
The Taiwanese electronics company, Asus, launched its flagship smartphone in India. Powered by higher-end specs, Asus Zenfone 5Z will take on other affordable flagship smartphones including OnePlus 6 and Honor 10.
Launching the latest smartphone via Asus official social media channels, the company has made Flipkart as its exclusive partner for its online sales. Starting July 9, the handset will be available in 3 variants including 6GB RAM/64GB ROM, 6GB RAM/128GB ROM, 8GB RAM/256GB ROM at a price tag of ₹29999, ₹32999 and ₹36999 respectively.
Also Read: Vivo X21 Claims to be India’s First In-Display Smartphone at ₹35990
Asus has got Apple iPhone X like a notch on top.
The flagship Asus Zenfone 5Z sports a 6.2-inch Super IPS FHD+ (2246x1080 pixels) display (18:7:9 aspect ratio) with an iPhone X like a notch on top. It features an all-glass unibody design and the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.
Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and Adreno 630 GPU, the smartphone comes in 3 variants. With 6GB RAM as the base variant, it goes up to 8GB RAM providing 256GB internal storage space, further expandable up to 2TB via microSD card.
The Asus Zenfone 5Z packs a pair of cameras on the back. The primary rear camera is a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 sensor with f/1.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization support. The secondary lens is of 8-megapixel OmniVision 8856 sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 120-degree wide-angle lens supporting bokeh and Portrait mode.
On the front, it sports the same 8-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls. The handset supports 4K video recording at 60fps. The camera also supports Artificial Intelligence and Face Unlock feature too.
The Asus Zenfone 5Z runs on Android Oreo-based ZenUI 5.0 and Android P update is in the pipeline. On the connectivity side, this is a dual-4G VoLTE handset that offers dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v5.0, USB OTG, GPS/A-GPS, USB Type-C and 3.5mm headphone jack. The handset is enabled with Carrier Aggregation 3CA to support the highest speed offered by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel telecom network.
As a launch offer, Asus and Flipkart have tied up with ICICI Bank to offer ₹3000 instant discount on the payment through ICICI Bank debit and credit card. Similarly, the Reliance Jio users will get ₹2200 cashback and 100GB additional data on the purchase of Asus flagship smartphone.
Also Read: OnePlus 6 Review - 6 Reasons to Buy OnePlus 6 & 2 Reasons Not to Buy
To everyone’s surprise, Xiaomi listed Redmi 6 Pro on its website along with the full list of specifications and price. Leaving it aside, the Chinese smartphone maker launched Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro and Mi Pad 4 in China.
Sporting an iPhone X-style notch, the new handset has got everything in a budget range. Starting from 19:9 display, AI dual rear cameras, AI face unlock, dedicated microSD card slot, 4000mAh battery and Android Oreo. The only concern is its continual love for the ageing Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset.
Regarding specifications, Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro sports a 5.84-inch FHD+ (2280x1080) 19:9 aspect ratio display with the controversial notch. Till now, this notch is limited to its flagship Mi 8 series. Powered by the best mid-range Snapdragon 625 SoC and Adreno 506 GPU, it comes in 3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB inbuilt storage space.
Shedding its hybrid SIM slot strategy, Xiaomi has got triple card slot that gives a dedicated microSD card facility where one can expand the storage space up to 256GB. It runs the Android 8.1 Oreo with MIUI 9.5 on top. When everyone is expecting MIUI 10, the Xiaomi disappointed its fans for sure.
Coming to the imaging, Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro has got a dual rear camera setup with 12-megapixel Sony IMX486 primary sensor and 5-megapixel Samsung S5K5E8 secondary sensor for AI portraits. The camera has got AI Beauty mode, bokeh mode, night-scene enhancement, HDR, and AI Face unlock. The 8-megapixel front camera is equally equipped with AI portrait mode and HDR.
Backed by a 4000mAh battery, Redmi Note 6 Pro can easily last for a day or more. As said earlier, it has got a triple slot with a dual nano-SIM facility. The connectivity options include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Interestingly, the company has got IR Blaster back in this handset but still no USV Type-C port.
The latest handset weights 178 grams and is available in Blue, Cherry Blossom Powder, Flame Red, Gold, Stone Black colour options. When it comes to the pricing, Xiaomi has never let its fans down. The prices of Redmi Note 6 Pro are at 999 yuan (₹10520), 1199 yuan (₹12510), 1299 yuan (₹13555) for 3GB RAM/32GB ROM, 4GB RAM/32GB ROM and 4GB RAM/64GB ROM respectively.
| 3GB RAM / 32GB ROM | 999 yuan | $156 | ₹10,520 |
| 4GB RAM / 32GB ROM | 1199 yuan | $184 | ₹12,510 |
| 4GB RAM / 64GB ROM | 1299 yuan | $199 | ₹13,555 |
The registration for the first sale is open now and starting June 26th 10 am CST, the sale of Redmi Note 6 Pro will kick start in Chinese territory. As India is equally important for Xiaomi, the handset can be expected to retail in the future. However, there’s no official word on it.
Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Y2 with 16MP AI Selfie Camera Price Starts at ₹9999
When the whole nation is waiting for Vodafone and Idea Cellular merger news, the leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel silently unveiled a long-term prepaid plan throwing a challenge to BSNL’s Eid Mubarak STV 756.
As per the new plan, Bharti Airtel will offer unlimited voice calls without any FUP limitation. Apart from the unlimited voice calling benefit, the subscriber will get 100 SMS per day, making it a whopping 16800 SMS. When it comes to the data, Bharti Airtel has included just 10GB data benefit.
Truly, this ₹597 plan is meant for voice calling and SMS users. With a mere 10GB data, the hardcore data users will find it difficult to stick to this long validity plan. Undoubtedly, the ₹597 plan that has a validity of 168 days, will strike a gold with voice calling users.
If you consider the recent BSNL Eid Mubarak STV 756 pack, then it offers unlimited calling and 300GB data with a validity of 150 days. Here, there’s a FUP limit of daily 2GB data and meant only for 150 days. In contrary, Bharti Airtel’s offer is valid for 168 days and there’s no FUP limit.
The long-term validity plans of Bharti Airtel are nothing new. Earlier, the company had a ₹995 plan in its kitty. It offers unlimited calling, 100 SMS per day and 6GB data benefit for 180 days. The usage is subject to 1GB data per month. That means you’ll get monthly 1GB data making it a total of 6GB in its entire validity period.
If you compare the previous 6GB with the latest 10GB offering, the voice call users will definitely be amazed. Certainly, it does provide higher data without any FUP limit. This is where Bharti Airtel scores over its competitors.
However, the negative side of the offering is its availability. Unlike BSNL’s Eid Mubarak STV 756 pack, this long validity plan of Bharti Airtel is not open to the market. Only a selected few can avail this long-validity plan. Instead of selective offering, the Bharti Airtel should always consider open to market plans where one can enjoy the plan benefit across the length and breadth of the nation.
Also Read: Bharti Airtel ₹558 Recharge Offers Daily 3GB Data for 82 Days
BSNL, a Government of India Enterprise, has once again launched the popular EID Mubarak STV 786 for its subscribers. On the eve of Eid al – Fitr, the state-run telecom operator BSNL has reintroduced the plan on a promotional basis.
Every year, the BSNL is known to launch some or other promotional plan to mark the end of Ramadan month. It is to be noted that the new plan is valid from June 12th to June 26, 2018. That means, if one wants to get the benefits of EID Mubarak STV 786, then he/she should recharge the same within the next15 days.
Also Read: BSNL BBG Combo ULD 700 Amaze Offers Free Amazon Prime Subscription
While coming to the core benefits of EID Mubarak STV 786, the BSNL subscribers will get a huge 300GB of data and unlimited voice calls for a period of 150 days. Here, the BSNL will stick to daily 2GB data benefit. Thus, with the new recharge, the BSNL customer will get 300GB data.
Under this ₹780 plan, the subscriber will get absolute freedom in making unlimited voice calls. Generally, you’ll not get this unlimited calling in any plan. Even if you consider the other BSNL unlimited recharge plans, you can’t make voice calls to Delhi and Mumbai Telecom circles for free. However, in the interest of the public, the unlimited voice calling doesn’t come under any FUP restrictions.
Moreover, the BSNL is also offering 100 SMS per day. This translates to a whopping 15,000 SMS in its 150-days validity period. Truly, the Ramadan month has brought some interesting plans to BSNL subscribers.
Though it is nothing new to BSNL in offering long validity plans, this time the telecom operator has packed a good amount of data in the plan. If you happen to look into the most popular BSNL Sixer 666 plan, then it offers unlimited calling, 1.5GB data per day, 100 SMS per day for a period of 129 days. Here, the unlimited calling is excluded in Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles.
In view of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018, the BSNL has come up with a new FIFA World Cup Special Data STV 149 pack that offers daily 4GB data with a validity of 28 days. The USP of the prepaid pack is its validity till July 15th. For 31 days, the soccer fans can enjoy the big sporting event FIFA World Cup matches with this exclusive data pack. Here, you’ll not get any voice or SMS benefits.
The BSNL subscribers have got something to cheer every day. Today, the state-run telecom operator has increased the data benefit of unlimited combo plans to 2GB per day instead of 1 and 1.5GB.
With effect from today, the BSNL prepaid combo plans of ₹186, ₹429, ₹485, ₹666 and ₹999 will offer daily 2GB of data. All the other benefits remain same including the validity period. Indeed, this promotional offer is BSNL’s answer to the recent extra 1.5GB Daily Data offer announced by Reliance Jio.
The VoLTE company has announced that this offer will expire on June 30th. So keeping that in view, BSNL has revised its extra 2GB daily data offer for the next 60 days.
Let’s see how the incumbent telecom operators will react to the Jio and BSNL’s extra data offerings.
Also Read: Bharti Airtel ₹558 Recharge Offers Daily 3GB Data for 82 Days
Data is the new oil. It’s often said and the companies are taking it seriously too. The leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel is aggressive in building up a competitive tariff portfolio. Till today, the telecom operators were busy in highlighting their 1.4GB and 2GB daily data plans.
With this new announcement, Bharti Airtel has got a new prepaid tariff that offers daily 3GB data along with unlimited calling. As per the new ₹558 prepaid plan, the Airtel subscriber will get a whopping 246GB data with a daily limit of 3GBbolded text. Apart from the data benefit, the subscriber can enjoy unlimited voice calls without any FUP limit. Moreover, it gives a benefit of 100 SMS per day. As said earlier, the validity of this ₹558 prepaid plan is 82 days.
That means one can enjoy unlimited voice calling, daily 3GB data, and 100 SMS per day for a period of 82 days with this ₹558 prepaid plan. With this offering, the per GB data value has come down to ₹2.268. Hope the new plan will increase ARPU of the Bharti Airtel to a greater extent.
If you are a new subscriber, then don’t get confused with ₹559 FRCbolded text. With this recharge, the new customers can get 1.4GB daily data, unlimited voice calling, and 100 SMS per day with a validity of 90 days.
Also Read: Bharti Airtel ₹249 Plan Offers 2GB Daily Data for 28 Days
If you look at the prepaid tariff portfolio, you can still observe ₹509 plan that offers 1.4GB data per day with 90 days validity. Though the new ₹558 prepaid plan is of the lesser validity period, it offers 3GB daily data without daily or weekly FUP limitation on voice calls. For an extra ₹49, you will get 3GB daily data. That’s really, a BIG value for money!
To be frank, this innovative plan is not a brainchild of Bharti Airtel. Prior to that, the Vodafone India launched ₹569 prepaid plan that offers 100 SMS, 3GB data on daily basis, and unlimited voice calling with 84 days validity period. However, the voice calling is subject to FUP limitation of 250 minutes per day.
What’s Your Opinion?
As Vodafone has got a better validity period, the price per GB data has come down to ₹2.257 in contrast to Bharti Airtel’s ₹2.268. Let’s wait and check how the Reliance Jio will respond to the daily 3GB data pack plans being offered by its competitors.
To the unaware, Reliance Jio has become India’s third-largest telecom company in terms of revenue market share (RMS). Currently, Bharti Airtel leads the game with 31.8% share, followed by Vodafone India (21%) and Reliance Jio (19.8%). Kumar Birla-led Idea Cellular’s RMS slipped to 16.5%. Even after the Vodafone India - Idea Cellular merger, Reliance Jio Infocomm would still retain its third place with its aggressive pricing strategy.
Also Read: Reliance Jio Extends Tariff War to Postpaid Segment with ₹199 Plan
As expected Xiaomi launched selfie centric Redmi Y2 handset in India. Starting at ₹9999, this budget phone is a rebranded version of the Chinese Redmi S2 that was launched last month in its home country. Apart from the handset, Xiaomi also announced the global launch of MIUI 10 with a new set of features.
Without any change in design and specs, Xiaomi rebranded the Redmi S2 as Redmi Y2 in India. The smartphone is placed well to target next-generation youth looking for the best selfie experience. Starting June 12th, the handset will be available for sale exclusively on Amazon India, Mi India website and Mi Home store.
Looks wise, the Redmi Y2 carries a tall 18:9 near a bezel-less display on a 5.99-inch screen. However, it sports a mere HD+ display with a 720x1440 pixel resolution and 296ppi pixel density. Though the display is decent enough for a day usage it lacks the punch and feel of HD photos and videos.
Powered by the trusted Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, the Xiaomi boasts 37% better performance when compared to its predecessor Redmi Y1. Though a 2-year old chipset, Snapdragon 625 still holds good and is considered to be an efficient performer. It allows you to do multi-tasking and play graphics intensive games with ease.
The Redmi Y2 comes in 2 variants - 3GB RAM + 32GB storage and 4GB RAM + 64GB storage priced at ₹9999 and ₹12999 respectively. A dedicated 256GB microSD card slot is a huge plus.
Also Read: OPPO Realme 1 Gets AI Chip & Dual 4G Support for ₹8990
On the imaging front, Redmi Y2 offers a great deal. It sports a 16-megapixel front camera assisted by AI for selfies and face unlock for biometric authentication. Moreover, the Super Pixel technique aids in better shots even in low light situations.
The Redmi Y2 dual camera set up on the rear with 12MP + 5MP sensor ensures excellent portrait photos with shallow depth of field. Assisted by PDAF and LED flash, it has got AI integration as well. As usual, you’ll find Auto HDR, AI portrait selfie and a Beautify mode. If you are a selfie lover, the Xiaomi Redmi Y2 is a perfect phone as it allows you to share them on social media with ease.
Though backed by a smaller 3080mAh battery, Redmi Y2 will definitely last a day. This is mainly due to its power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. Surprisingly, the handset runs with MIUI 9.5.0.3 based on the latest Android 8.1.0 operating system. The product box also contains an ultra-slim case.
What’s Your Opinion?
As a lunch offer, one can grab ₹500 instant discount on the purchase of Redmi Y2 through ICICI Bank credit and debit cards. The leading cellular network Bharti Airtel has tied up with Xiaomi to offer ₹1800 instant cashback and up to 240GB 4G data free.
To sum it up, Redmi Y2 offers a good combination of camera and performance under 10K budget. If you are looking for camera and performance then get Redmi Y2 or looking for an all-in-one package, then there’s nothing better than Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro.
The online flash sale model of Xiaomi is really tiring. Thus, it is nearly impossible to get the Xiaomi smartphone in hand. Let’s wait till 12th and make it on Amazon India.
Also Read: Moto G6, G6 Play, G6 Plus Launched, Price Starts at ₹11999
Lenovo’s Moto G Series has got a good name in the budget range. Continuing the trend, the company has launched Moto G6 and G6 Play in the Indian market. However, the bigger sized Moto G6 Plus is yet to receive the release date.
Without any confusion, we’ll have a closer look at each and every smartphone. Starting with Moto G6 Play, the Lenovo has got a budget handset exclusive to Flipkart at a price of ₹11,999. The handset sports a 5.7-inch IPS LCD 18:9 display with 1440x720 and 282 ppi resolution. Powered by a 1.4GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 processor and 2/3GB RAM has an inbuilt 16/32GB ROM that can be further expandable up to 128GB through microSD card.
On the imaging front, Moto G6 Play sports a 13-megapixel f/2.0 aperture rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera for selfies. Backed by a 4000mAh battery, it runs on Android 8.0 Oreo and has a 10W rapid charger in the box. This dual SIM handset has got water-repellant nano-coating as well. The standard specs with no frills make it a decent buy as it offers multi-day battery life.
The latest Moto G6 is the successor to last year’s Moto G5 Plus. If you look at the specs, the Moto G6 is a well-made handset targeted at premium mid-end range. Powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, it sports a 5.7-inch FHD+ 18:9 display (2160x1080) with glass and metal construction.
The Moto G6 has got 2 variants – 3GB RAM/32GB ROM and 4GB RAM/64GB ROM. It has got a dual camera setup on the back. The main camera sports a 12-megapixel sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 5-megapixel secondary sensor. The front camera with an 8-megapixel sensor is for selfie lovers. Though it can’t shoot 4K videos but delivers a depth of field and bokeh effects.
The interface is close to stock android and runs Android 8.0 out-of-the-box. Though it is backed by a 3000mAh battery, the box packs a 15W Turbo Power charger with USB Type C support. Starting at ₹13,999, the Moto G6 is a Amazon India exclusive.
Leaving the processor, Moto G6 has got all the specs right to compete with the likes of Asus Zenfone Max Pro 1, Honor 7X, Nokia 6.1, and the sensational Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. In my opinion, Motorola should have considered a better processor.
The Moto G6 Plus has got a bigger 5.9-inch 1080p screen and a more powerful Snapdragon 630 chipset with 4/6GB RAM and 64/128GB ROM. Similarly, it offers a slightly better camera with f/1.7 aperture and all the other imaging dual camera specs similar to that of Moto G6. The larger sibling of Moto G6 family is backed by a decent 3200mAh battery and is yet to receive the launch date from the company.
The industry analysts feel that the parent company Lenovo is killing the brand Motorola. It is high time that Lenovo should concentrate on Moto brand. It used to be an affordable brand and now losing it to Xiaomi.
Also Read: OnePlus 6 Review - 6 Reasons to Buy OnePlus 6 & 2 Reasons Not to Buy
Being the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League, Vivo was always in news till Sunday night. Today, the technology company launched Vivo X21 smartphone in the Indian market. The newly launched Vivo X21 is claimed to be India’s first in-display fingerprint sensor smartphone.
Starting today, the Vivo X21 will compete with OnePlus 6 and Honor 10 as it priced at ₹35,990 as Flipkart exclusive. Available in Black and Gold colour options, this dual-SIM handset boots FunTouch OS 4.0 based Android 8.1 Oreo.
Also Read: Nokia 7 Plus - The Flagship Phone for Everyone Priced at ₹25999
With regard to design, the Vivo X21 sports a 6.28-inch full HD+ Super AMOLED display with 2280x1080 pixels, 19:9 aspect ratio and has a notch on the top of the display. The handset has a trendy 3D glass back design.
Powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC clocked up to 2.2GHz and 6GB RAM provides an inbuilt 128GB internal storage further expandable up to 256GB using microSD card slot.
In the imaging department, Vivo X21 sports a dual rear camera setup that can take better shots even in low light conditions. A 12-mp primary and 5-mp secondary camera with Samsung sensors is also offering slow motion video recording and bokeh mode. For selfie enthusiasts, a 12-mp sensor with f/2.0 aperture is equipped. It offers AI-based Face Unlock facility as well.
The Vivo X21 offers the required connectivity options including 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac dual band, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS/A-GPS, micro USB with OTG support, and a reliable 3.5mm headphone jack. The under-display fingerprint sensor is the USP of the Vivo X21 smartphone.
Backed by a 3200mAh battery, the handset is expected to give a decent show for a complete day. It being eligible for Android P Beta, Vivo X21 will surely get a big thumb up from Android lovers.
As a launch offer, Vivo has tied up with SBI credit cards to offer 5% cashback and no cost-EMI up to 12 months. Furthermore, one can even avail an extra 3000 off on regular exchange value. Specs wise, Vivo X21 promises to be an incredible handset and let’s see how it performs in the real scenario.
Also Read: OnePlus 6 Review - 6 Reasons to Buy OnePlus 6 & 2 Reasons Not to Buy
The OnePlus got everyone’s attention and there’s no denying that its flagship OnePlus 6 is a great smartphone in the 40K range. The tech specialists are comparing OnePlus 6 with Samsung Galaxy S9 and LG G7. In fact, OnePlus 6 is worth your money more than Apple’s X.
At half the price of Apple’s most expensive smartphone ever, OnePlus 6 has got the best hardware and software combination to support its flagship status. Apple iPhone X may be the best smartphone in the market but hereafter OnePlus 6 will give a very tough competition.
OnePlus 6 is worth your money more than Apple’s X.
Before you invest, just read on the 6.28-inch optic AMOLED screened OnePlus 6 hands-on experience to find out the 7 reasons to buy OnePlus 6 and of course, 2 reasons not to buy it.
If you are an Indian, then the most asked functionality in a smartphone is dual SIM. It makes a bigger difference when you roam abroad. Carrying a local SIM will save a lot of money and thus a dual SIM smartphone is the need of the hour.
If the rumours are to be believed Apple is also considering dual-SIM functionality for its ecosystem. Instead of shelling out extra money on the spare phone, why not get OnePlus 6 that has dual SIM feature right now.
The OnePlus fast charging system is the best in the market. It uses DASH CHARGING that’s really fast at about 20W. Here most of the hardware is in the plug rather than the phone. This aids in lower temperatures while fast charging and doesn’t support wireless charging.
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC and inbuilt 3300mAh battery, OnePlus 6 delivers a solid battery juice that can deliver a lasting power well over a day even with heavy usage. The Adaptive Battery saving feature of Android P could be a good opportunity. In contrast, Apple iPhone X has just 2716mAh battery to support itself.
Though an old-school practice, OnePlus satisfied its users by including 3.5mm audio port. In an online poll, more than 80 percent responded YES to the inclusion of headphone jack on their smartphone. You can just use the existing headphone for listening music even while charging.
On the other hand, the tech giants Apple, Google and Sony ditched the practice forcing the music lovers to spend extra money upon.
Instead of pouring money in 3D Face Recognition, OnePlus invested it efficiently in faster fingerprint sensor. No doubt, Apple’s face recognition technology is a good security system but suffers in low-lighting conditions. There are times, it couldn’t recognize when on hats or wearing sunglasses. In such cases, OnePlus 6 (even OnePlus 5T) blazing fast unlock through fingerprint sensor is way ahead then typing the password on Apple iPhone X.
OnePlus 6 is one of the 12 devices that will receive an early access to Android P. Google is taking Android P as a next step and is thus heavily focusing on Assistant and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Starting from Your Match on Google Maps to Google Duplex, Android P is considered to be the biggest upgrade in Google Android’s timeline.
Though it is irrelevant to discuss which OS is better – iOS or Android, the acceptability rate is higher in Android. Gone are the days when some features are exclusive to iOS or Android. Now, they’ve copied each other while still enjoying their respective strengths.
For the serious flagship lovers, the price may not be a big constraint. It may not be fair to compare iPhone X and OnePlus 6. However, if one compares Apple iPhone X to OnePlus 6, then it’s a big margin. The OnePlus 6 is available in two variants – 6GB RAM/64GB ROM at ₹34,999 and 8GB RAM/128GB ROM at ₹39,999.
The OnePlus 6 with 6GB RAM/64GB ROM is equivalent to Apple iPhone X that retails at ₹84990. Undoubtedly, the price difference of 50K is a big thing. Even if you consider the OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers Limited Edition 8GB RAM/256GB ROM priced at ₹44,999 is significantly on a lower price zone.
| Device | USD | EUR | GBP | CAD | INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/64 Model | $529 | €519 | £469 | $699 | ₹34,999 |
| 8/128 Model | $579 | €569 | £519 | $769 | ₹39,999 |
| 8/256 Model | $629 | €619 | £569 | $823 | ₹44,999 |
Indeed, OnePlus 6 is a great phone to buy but there a couple of reasons not to buy.
OnePlus is not more secure than that of Apple. The OnePlus Oxygen OS was caught up in a data breach sending personally identifiable data to a server. Though it is rectified later, OnePlus enthusiasts can’t ignore these kinds of slip-ups. On the other hand, Apple is known to be fairly serious in its security.
Though OnePlus has got a decent camera, it doesn’t fit in the same league as the Apple iPhone X or Google Pixel. Hands-on experience reveals that OnePlus has to seriously up its camera game especially in low light situations.
What’s Your Opinion?
OnePlus with its glassy build gives a fantastic feel and includes screen notch – the trend of the time. When compared to Apple iPhone X, the price may be half but not half the quality. Apple products always come at a premium but when the same quality is incorporated at half the price, then the decision making becomes easier.
Leaving Apple aside, OnePlus 6 is a serious attempt to lead the pack. The super clean and responsive software combined with flagship-level hardware offers a very good value for its price.
Also Read: Nokia 7 Plus - The Flagship Phone for Everyone Priced at ₹25999
Honor, the sub-brand under Huawei Group, launched two smartphones Honor 7A and Honor 7C to compete in the budget segment. The two smartphones are similar to each other with minor differences in their specifications. Incidentally, both the handsets are the best-selling smartphones in China.
The Honor 7A is the most affordable (priced ₹8999) dual-rear camera phone featuring bokeh and beautify mode. Starting 29th May, the Honor 7A will be a Flipkart exclusive and will be available in 3 colours namely Black, Blue and Gold. It sports a 5.7-inchHD+ IPS LCD display (1440x720 pixel) resolution with 18:9 aspect ratio.
Powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC and 3GB RAM, Honor 7A has an inbuilt 32GB storage capacity and expandable up to 256GB via microSD card as a dedicated slot. As said earlier, it has a dual camera set-up. The 13-mp and 2-mp sensor form the primary and secondary camera. On the front, it sports an 8-megapixel with f/2.2 aperture selfie shooter.
Backed by a 3000mAhb battery, the budget Honor 7A runs on Android 8.0 Oreo-based Huawei’s own EMUI 8.0 on top. The connectivity options include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Hotspot, Bluetooth v4.2, 3.5mm headphone jack, and Micro-USB port at the bottom. Though a budget phone, it offers Face Unlock and Fingerprint sensor.
The Honor 7C is a premium offering of the two smartphones released today. Starting May 31st, 2018, this Honor 7C handset will be exclusive to Amazon India. It sports a 5.99-inch display with 1440x720 pixels resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio.
The handset Honor 7C will be powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 SoC. It comes in two variants – 3GB RAM/32GB ROM and 4G RAM/64GB ROM and are priced ₹9999 and ₹11999 respectively.
On the imaging front, the Honor 7C sports the same dual rear camera and front camera setup as the Honor 7A. The only addition is a f/2.0 aperture front camera instead of f/2.2. The connectivity options, battery and operating system are also same as that of Honor 7A.
Incidentally, the lineup offers some special features including Huawei Histen’s 3D sound effects. It has also got a Ride Mode something similar to Samsung’s S bike mode. Addition of Paytm fingerprint single touch access is another striking feature that can be used in our daily lives.
Except screen size and processor, the two Honor 7 series dual-SIM smartphones offer the similar specs.
During the launch, Mr Suhail Tariq, Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei India claimed that Honor has seen a stupendous growth of 146% in India. Indeed, it is greater than Xiaomi and OnePlus making Honor the fastest growing smartphone brand in India.
What’s Your Opinion?
As a launch offer, the Honor has announced ₹2200 cashback from Reliance Jio. Under this deal, the handset user will get 50GB and 100GB additional data on the purchase of Honor 7A and Honor 7C handsets respectively.
If you carefully observe the latest Honor 7 series smartphones they are placed to give a tough fight to OPPO Realme 1 and Xiaomi Redmi 5 budget phones. When compared to Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, the Honor 7C offers a dual camera setup. With each and every day, there is a stiff competition. As a user, the choice is yours!
Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi 5 Launched: Should You Upgrade?
The Indian state-owned telecommunications company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has unveiled two small data packs with 1-day validity. Sensing huge demand for small packs, BSNL too joined the data tariff war by introducing mini packs.
BSNL titled the new small packs as “Mini Packs” with a just 1-day validity period. As per the information, the BSNL ₹7 mini pack offers 1GB of high-speed 3G data whereas the ₹16 mini pack offers 2GB of 3G data.
These Special Tariff Vouchers (STV) otherwise known as Mini Packs do not offer any other special benefits except the specified high-speed 3G internet on mobile. These ₹7 and ₹16 data mini packs can be accessed PAN-India.
However, the price may differ from circle to circle. The price of ₹7 Mini pack ranges from ₹7 to ₹9. Similarly, the 2GB ₹16 Mini Pack price could vary from ₹16 to ₹19. Leaving the pricing aside, the special tariff voucher provides a uniform 1GB and 2GB of 3G data across the nation.
These small data packs are really helpful to the subscribers who use limited internet for their daily needs. At the same time, these are pocket-friendly too.
BSNL surprised the whole telecom industry by offering ₹999 Maximum Plan with a validity of 365 days. As per the ₹999 Maximum Plan, the prepaid user will get unlimited access to the internet, voice calls and SMS.
However, these benefits are limited to the first 181 days and the tariff for the other period is charged on a different scale. If we divide the whole 365 days validity into 2 periods, then it is easy to understand the newly introduced ₹999 Maximum Plan.
Here the user can access unlimited data with a daily cap of 1GB. After the said 1GB/day, the speed will be restricted to 40 kbps. Hope the data quota is sufficient for an average user.
Coming to the voice benefits, all the local and STD calls are absolutely free excluding Delhi and Mumbai telecom circles. The subscribers of calls Delhi and Mumbai circles need to shell out 60 paise per minute for voice calls. As part of the bundled package, 100 SMS per day would be offered for free.
There is no change in terms of data benefit. The user can enjoy the same 1GB data per day as he used to get in the first 6 months. However, the voice calls (both local and STD) are charged 60 paise per minute. The local SMS and National SMS are charged 25 paise and 35 paise respectively.
What’s Your Opinion?
Undoubtedly, the BSNL ₹999 Maximum Plan is one of the best plans who is looking for long-term benefits especially internet. Due to its operational issues, the plan is not available in North East, Jammu & Kashmir and Assam.
Though the other telecom operators are offering similar long-term plans (with 90 days validity) but BSNL is way ahead of the competitors with its truly unlimited 181 days period and 365 days validity.
Also Read: BSNL ₹1595 Plan Offers Truly Unlimited Calls and Data with No FUP Limit