JioBharat launches V3 and V4: 4G successors to the V2 in India

Reliance's Jio platform has officially unveiled two new 4G phones in India: the JioBharat V3 and JioBharat V4, priced at 1,099 rupees ($13).

This initiative aims to provide hundreds of millions of Indians with access to 4G networks and various features at a low cost.

These features include a suite of exclusive Jio services, such as JioTV, JioCinema, and JioSaavn. With JioCinema, subscribers can access over 450 channels at no additional cost, and the phones support up to 23 Indian languages.

While the devices may not boast high-end specifications—featuring just 48MB of RAM, 128MB of internal storage (expandable to 128GB), a 1,000mAh battery, and 1.77-inch displays—their primary goal is to connect over 200 million Indians who currently lack access to 4G, as reported by TechCrunch. With such an affordable price tag, these phones may be particularly appealing to those who cannot even afford a $50 smartphone.

This move could also strengthen Reliance's foothold in the Indian mobile phone market, further solidifying its 50% market share, according to the Economic Times, especially amid competition from companies like Bharti Airtel and its recent perk of offering Apple Music to subscribers at a discount.

Jio has a history of innovations in India that have contributed to its market dominance. Backed by tech giants like Google and Meta, Jio has launched a series of devices designed to help more Indians connect to the online world.

Currently, consumers can purchase the JioBharat V3 and JioBharat V4 at local retail stores, JioMart, or on Amazon.