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The race for the cheapest phone bundled with a data plan is on. While Idea, BSNL and other companies are yet to join this battle, Airtel, which is the largest telecom operator in the country, decided to take on the challenge thrown by Jio with its effectively free JioPhone. The company is countering the JioPhone , which is essentially a feature phone with some smart features, with A40 Indian that is a proper smartphone.
The Karbonn A40 comes nearly after three months of the launch of the JioPhone. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio had announced the phone in July at RIL 40th Annual Global Meeting in Mumbai. However, the phone has started reaching the masses only now.
While there are several other companies like Idea, Vodafone and BSNL also planning their own "cheap" 4G phones, for now it seems to be between the Jio and Airtel. So how the JioPhone and A40 compare with each other, what do Jio and Airtel offer consumers with their data plans, and which is a better option? Is it JioPhone you should take or the A40? Some answers.
JioPhone Vs Airtel A40: The specs
The specs and design are the one of the first things that catch your eyes when you look at the phone first, so, it is always safe to start the comparison with these.
The JioPhone is a feature phone so expecting a great and massive display or some extraordinary specs would be insane. The JioPhone is a decent looking feature phone with a 2.40-inch display with a resolution of 240 pixels by 320 pixels. It is powered by 1.2GHz dual-core SPRD 9820A/QC8905 processor and 512 RAM. The phone comes with 4GB of internal storage which is expandable up to 128GB via microSD card. There's a 2MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera. The Jio Phone runs on KAI OS and is backed by a 2000mAh removable battery. The phone comes with a single SIM slot which is locked to Jio network. This means you can use only Jio SIM with your JioPhone.
The Airtel-Karbonn A40 Indian is a smartphone running on Android Nougat. It has a 4-inch display with a resolution of 800 X 480 pixels and is most probably powered by a MediaTek processor clocked at the speed of 1.3MHz. There's a 2MP camera on the rear and a 0.3MP camera on the front. The phone supports dual SIM so you can use any network you want. However, using other network will not get you the cashback.
⏩ Also Read: Airtel fights JioPhone with Rs 1399 A40 phone: Offer, specs, Rs 169 plan and everything you must know
The Airtel phone comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage that's expandable up to 32GB in against of JioPhone in which it is expandable up to 128GB. Now, while the Airtel A40 phone may be a better looking phone than the JioPhone, there are few things that it misses out on like the internal storage (it's only 32GB) or the NFC support. The JioPhone comes with NFC support while Airtel phone lacks it. Although, we must note that the internal storage bit is a toss between these two phones. The A40 has more 8GB storage, which is handy because you can store more on it without using an SD card.
In terms of hardware, the A40 is a clear winner. It has touch-screen, which the JioPhone doesn't. It has a faster processor probably. It has a bigger battery. A bigger screen.
Although all of this may not matter much. Because with its better hardware the A40 also has to run a more demanding software that is Android Nougat. Yes, the internal storage is more but then Nougat and apps will also take more storage, will use more RAM. Despite the better hardware, we feel that the JioPhone could be a slightly faster device. The A40 will surely do more but probably with some lags etc. The JioPhone will do less, but probably in a better way.
Talking of doing more, the A40 is a clear winner when it comes to apps. You will be able to run WhatsApp and Facebook on it. On JioPhone, there is no WhatsApp for you.
- JioPhone V Airtel's A40: The price debate:
With JioPhone as well as the A40, one important part is their prices. The term "effectively free" has become synonymous to the JioPhone.
But there is fine print. Jio calls the JioPhone as effectively free but there is a minimum amount you need to pay to use the phone. The company asks for Rs 1500 as the security deposit for the phone which will be refunded after 36 months. A Rs 153 plan every month is mandatory for the phone. So, Rs 153 recharge for 36 months equals to Rs 5508.
Here's the Jio Maths
Rs 1500 + Rs 5508= Rs 7008
Now after a refund of Rs 1500 after 36 months, total cost you give is
Rs 7008-Rs 1500= Rs 5508, the final price
Now in case of Airtel Karbonn A40, buyer has to make a down payment of Rs 2899 for the 4G smartphone and make 36 continuous monthly recharges of Rs 169. The customer will get a cash refund of Rs 500 after 18 months and another Rs 1000 after 36 months, taking the total cash benefit to Rs 1500. Here is the Math.
Rs 2899 (down payment)+ Rs 169 x 36 months= Rs 8983
Now, a cashback of Rs 1500 means
Rs 8983-Rs 1500= Rs 7483, the final price
Both the phones come at near about the same prices.
One important bit to note here is that after 36 months, you will have to return the JioPhone back to Jio. But with A40, you get to keep the phone.
- JioPhone Vs Airtel A40: The data war:
Airtel is giving 512MB data per day at Rs 169 while Jio is giving 500MB data per day at Rs 153. The unlimited calls is subjected to fair usage for both Jio and Airtel. This means if you misuse the free calls, you may be charged or the company may limit your calls.Jio offers unlimited data which means your internet will continue to work even after you've crossed your FUP limit but at a reduced speed. In case of Airtel, you will be charged once you've reached your data limit for the day.
Also, with Jio you get free SMS which is not the case with Airtel A40.
- JioPhone V Airtel A40: The cashback conditions:
Both Jio and Airtel come with cashback of Rs 1500 but both have its own terms and conditions. The Jio says that it would refund the entire Rs 1500 amount only if the phone is used for 36 months. User will be charged Rs 1000 along with applicable GST or other taxes if the phone is returned 12 months and before 24 months. It is Rs 500 if you return after 24 months and before 36 months from the date of first issue of the JioPhone. Also, Jio says users have to ensure that the phone is in working condition, undamaged, and has all the user data removed from the it while returning the phone. Also, you are not eligible for the cashback if you do not do the mandatory recharge every month.
Similarly to the JioPhone, the Airtel-Karbonn A40 Indian smartphone too has its own set of terms and conditions for the cashback. The users will get the Rs 500 cashback only after they've used the smartphone for 18 months. Also, it is mandatory to get a total recharges worth Rs 3000 for 1 months.
There's an additional Rs 1000 cashback which will be given to users only if they have used the A40 smartphone with an Airtel plan for another 18 months and done recharges for at least Rs 3000 in this period. One important bit to note is here that Airtel will credit the cashback to user's Airtel Payment Bank account and it is not mandatory to return the phone even after getting the cashback.
