JioPhone, JioPhone 2 will co-exist, will support YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook from August 15

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Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), at its 41st Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, took the wraps off the second-generation JioPhone, aka the JioPhone 2. The JioPhone 2 is being claimed the be a high-end version of the JioPhone which was launched last year and created quite a buzz because it was a smart feature phone which was effectively available for free. The JioPhone 2 is apparently smarter, which is probably why it isn't being marketed as an effectively free smart feature phone. The JioPhone 2 will be available for buying in India from August 15 for Rs 2,999.

But just because it is launching the JioPhone 2, RIL is not phasing out the original JioPhone. The original JioPhone and the JioPhone 2 will be available side by side in the market so potential buyers can choose whichever model suits their needs best, the company has confirmed. Moreover, the original JioPhone will receive a FOTA August 15 onwards, that will enable the smart feature phone to support popular applications like YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook. The JioPhone 2, which will be available for buying from August 15, should support these applications out-of-the-box.

That RIL will continue investing in the JioPhone, for some more time at least, is also highlighted by the company's new JioPhone Monsoon Hungama offer that will allow potential buyers to get a JioPhone in exchange for their existing feature phone, for 501. Note that the JioPhone will still be effectively available for free, but the Rs 1,500 security deposit that it was charging previously will be dropped down to Rs 501 should potential buyers be looking to make use of the exchange offer. Regular buyers will be able to get the JioPhone by paying the usual Rs 1,500 security deposit, as usual, which will be refundable subject to prior terms and conditions.

Elsewhere, RIL says that the need for a second-generation JioPhone stemmed from customer feedback. Customers have been asking for a JioPhone with a horizontal viewing display and a QWERTY keyboard, it said. The JioPhone 2 serves both the purposes. At the same time, it brings in added features like dual-SIM support and a 2,000mAh battery.