Jio Working on Entry-Level 5G Smartphone Powered by Qualcomm Chip: Report

Reliance Jio, the leading telecom operator is expected to bring its first-ever 5G-enabled smartphone to the market soon. Qualcomm has revealed that it is working with Reliance Jio to launch an entry-level 5G smartphone for India.

Jio Entry-Level 5G Smartphone With Qualcomm Chip Launch Soon

US-based chipmaker Qualcomm is reportedly working on a new chipset to launch an entry-level 5G smartphone. The Jio's 5G smartphone will be launched under $99 (roughly Rs. 8,200) by the end of 2024.

"With the new chipset, we are looking to give a full 5G experience to consumers looking for affordable smartphones. The product is inspired by India... we're focusing pretty heavily on the transition between 4G and 5G. So, for us, it's how do we make sure that the transition is as frictionless as possible and that we have products really optimised for handset developers, telcos and end consumers," Chris Patrick, SVP and General Manager of Handsets, Qualcomm, told Moneycontrol.

The latest chipset could encourage 2G users to switch to a 5G. The Jio smartphone is said to support the 5G standalone architecture, which the telecom operator is currently offering. The report further claimed that the smartphone will be powered by a dedicated low-cost customised processor using SA-2Rx capability.

Qualcomm's executive also said that an affordable 5G smartphone could bring 5G to as many as 2.8 billion people globally, including India. The chipmaker is planning to bring the smartphone to a new price tier that has not been witnessed before.

No other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer a 5G smartphone within this price category. The initiative by Qualcomm and Jio will help many people who want to switch to 5G smartphone under a budget.

Currently, the JioPhone Next is the flagship offering from Reliance, available for Rs 4,499. The cheapest 4G device was launched in partnership with Google. It is based on Android called Pragati OS, customized to deliver a great smartphone experience to Indian users.