Jivi launches cheapest smartphone at Rs 1,999

Feature phone maker Jivi has launched its first smartphone, which is "extremely affordable", for 1,999, aimed at the masses.

The firm, which expects to sell about 20 million units of the device, claims this is the cheapest Android-based smartphone available in the country.

"The intent was clear. We want to make available a good quality smartphone at an extremely affordable price, we are doing this on very thin margins," Jivi Mobiles CEO Pankaj Anand told PTI. 

The firm will bring newer devices powered by the latest Android KitKat operating system.

Earlier this week, another homegrown firm Intex had launched an Android KitKat powered smartphone for 2,699 with Flipkart, which it claimed was the cheapest in the country.

The dual SIM-JSP20, which will sold exclusively through ecommerce firm Amazon.in, features 3.5-inch screen, 1 GHz processor and Android Gingerbread OS.

It also sports 128MB RAM, 256MB memory (expandable up to 32GB), 2MP camera and 1350 mAh battery. 

"This is an entry-level device for those looking to upgrade.

This is in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India initiative," he said.

Asked how the company intends to reach users, who may not have access to Internet to purchase online, Anand said the firm will conduct on ground activities to help them.

"We will have people on ground, across colleges and other places to help people purchase the phone. Also, we will launch newer devices offline as well, this is just the beginning," he added. 

The Indian smartphone market is witnessing intense competition, especially in the affordable category.

Touted as the fastest growing smartphone market globally, over 44 million smartphones were sold in the country last year, buoyed by affordable devices made by local firms such as Micromax and Karbonn. 

According to research firm IDC, 18.42 million smartphones were shipped in India in Q2 2014 with Samsung as the leader with a 29 per cent market share, Micromax (18 per cent), Karbonn (8 per cent) and LAVA (6 per cent).

Photograph: Courtesy, Jivi