Bharat 2 Ultra 4G: Micromax & Vodafone partner for Rs 999 smartphone
Micromax has taken its 'Bharat' platform ahead by tying up with telecom operator Vodafone for its Bharat 2 Ultra 4G smartphones. The handsets will be available to Vodafone customers next month at an effective price of Rs 999.
The India-based phonemaker earlier this month launched its Bharat 1 feature phones in a tie-up with state-run telecom operator BSNL. Micromax is trying to get back into the top five smartphone manufacturers in India.
What's on offer
The Bharat 2 Ultra 4G smartphone will be available to consumers at Rs 2,899. Thereafter, customers have to recharge their Vodafone numbers for a minimum of Rs 150 per month for 36 months/3 years. Recharges can be of various denominations but need to total a minimum of Rs 150.
After the first 18 months lapse, customers will get a cashback of Rs 900. After the completion of the next 18 months, customers will get another Rs 1,000 cashback. This money will be added to their Vodafone M-Pesa wallets. Customers can use this money to transact digitally or even withdraw the money to their bank accounts.
No data plan specific to the Bharat 2 Ultra 4G has been announced. =
Specifications
The Bharat 2 Ultra 4G runs on a Spreadtrum SC9832 1.3Ghz Quad Core processor. It has 512MB RAM with it. It comes with a 4-inch WVGA display and a 2-megapixel rear camera. Interestingly, it has a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. The software of the handset is Android Marshmallow and there is a 1,300 mAh battery.
What Micromax & Vodafone said
Rahul Sharma, co-founder of Micromax, said that the Bharat series is perfectly poised for the acquisition of first-time smartphone users. "We believe that greater device affordability and low-cost data packs will drive increased smartphone adoption, as there is still a huge gap. At Micromax, we want to give superior device experience in an affordable way and Bharat range is a testimony of the same, having already sold more than 2 million handsets".
Vodafone India's Avneesh Khosla said that the Bharat 2 will help put smartphones in the hands of those who can't afford one. “We are delighted to partner with Micromax to democratize the 4G smartphones at a never before price of under Rs 999. This will help fulfil the aspirations of several million phone users across the country who desire a smartphone but couldn’t afford one," Avneesh Khosla, Associate Director – Consumer Business, Vodafone India said. It will also encourage current non-users of 4G to upgrade and enjoy a richer user experience with Vodafone SuperNet 4G".
The Bharat 2 Ultra 4G will be taking on the likes of Reliance's JioPhone, Bharat 1, and Airtel & Karbonn's A40 Indian. It remains to be seen which of these resonates best with the consumers.
First published: 24 October 2017, 12:36 IST