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• Weekly News Digest - Jio Phone 3, Redmi Band & More [11th September]

 

Welcome to the weekly news digest! Every Friday, we bring the top news stories from the world of e-commerce. Last week, we reported on the launch of Flipkart Wholesale e-commerce service for Kiranas. JioFiber free trial also was one of the top news of the previous week. 

Here is a round-up of this week’s headlines from Jio’s new affordable smartphone (Jio Phone 3) to the preparation of e-commerce giants (Flipkart and Amazon) for the upcoming festive sales. Airtel has also launched new Xstream broadband plans. There are a few interesting product launches as well. So let us take a look at the top headlines of the week. 

 

1. Jio to Launch 100 Million Low-cost Android Phones Soon (Jio Phone 3)

Reliance Jio is set to launch a low-cost Android smartphone. The company already has two feature phones with 4G support in the market. The only shortcoming of the Jio feature phone is the lack of apps. To overcome the hurdle, users have been expecting a low-cost android phone from the company. Jio and Google are said to be manufacturing 100 million low-cost phones. It looks as an affordable Android smartphone from Jio is soon going to be a reality. 

Jio's affordable smartphones will come bundled with data packs. Earlier, Reliance Industries claimed that Google will be developing a customized version of Android for low-cost smartphones. Jio's low-cost smartphone is expected to take over a major chunk of the feature phone market in India. The demand for affordable smartphones is growing as telecom operators look to bring existing feature phone users on 4G networks. 

Expected Launch: December 2020

Expected Price: Under Rs. 4,500

“The device will come bundled with data packs.”

2. Flipkart Starts Preparing For Big Billion Days Sale

Flipkart has started preparing for its festive sale. Grocery is a major category for online retailers. And as part of the effort, Flipkart is targeting to list more kiranas to its marketplace ahead of The Big Billion Days Sale. Flipkart has partnered with over 50,000 Kiranas ahead of the festive season.

The company recently launched an e-commerce service "Wholesale" for MSMEs and Kiranas. Last week we reported on the launch of Flipkart Wholesale. With the launch, Flipkart aims to strengthen its grocery store Supermart. Meanwhile, Amazon is also preparing for the festive season with the launch of five new sorting centres. 

With the move, you can expect faster delivery and better variety during the upcoming festive sales. The delivery time is often an issue during the festive sale events due to high demand. 

 

3. Airtel Updates Xstream Fiber Broadband Plans

Last week, Jio was in news due to its new Fiber plans. The company revealed new plans starting Rs. 399 with "30-day no condition" trial. Now, Airtel has upgraded its Xstream Fiber broadband plans with unlimited high-speed internet. The telco has announced new Xstream Fiber broadband plans starting Rs. 499. 

The most affordable Rs. 499 plan comes with up to 40Mbps speeds. While the Rs. 799, Rs. 999, Rs. 1,499, and Rs. 3,999 plans come with up to 100Mbps, 200Mbps, 300Mbps, and 1Gbps speeds. Airtel is offering unlimited data with Fiar Usage Policy capped at 3,333GB. The speed will reduce to 1,024 Kbps after the FUP limit. 

Airtel is also offering unlimited voice calling to customers using a landline phone with the connection. In addition to that, the customers with Rs. 999, Rs. 1,499, and Rs. 3,999 broadband plans also get Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, and Disney+ Hotstar Subscriptions. Airtel will be providing Xstream Android 4K TV at a security deposit of Rs. 1,500 to its broadband users. 

The new plans are listed on its Airtel's website as well as the app. For more details on Airtel Xstream Fiber Broadband plans click here

4. Disney+ Hotstar Announces Partnership with Jio, Airtel ahead of IPL 2020

As cricket fans wait for the start of the IPL 2020, Disney+ Hotstar has announced its partnership with Reliance Jio and Airtel. Both the telecom companies offer prepaid recharge plans bundled with a subscription to Disney+ Hotstar. It allows millions of cricket fans to watch IPL live streaming.

Meanwhile, the 13th edition of IPL is all set to start on September 19. Live match streaming will be exclusively available for Disney + Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium subscribers. 

The streaming platform has added new features as well for a more interactive experience for users such as Watch'N Play, Hotshots, and duets. The new features also allow fans to express themselves while enjoying the live cricket action. 

Jio prepaid Plans with Disney+ Hotstar VIP:

Price	Validity	Data
Rs. 401	28 days	3GB per Day + 6GB
Rs. 499	56 Days	1.5GB Per Day
Rs. 777	84 Days	1.5GB Per Day + 5GB
Rs. 2599	365 Days	2GB Per Day + 10GB

 

Airtel prepaid Plans with Disney+ Hotstar VIP

Plan	Validity	Data	Voice
Rs. 2698	365 Days	2GB Per Day	Unlimited Calling
Rs. 401	28 days	30GB (Total)	Nil

 

5. Redmi Fitness Band Launch in India

Xiaomi has launched its super-cheap Xiaomi fitness band in India. Redmi Smart Band has a 1.08-inch colour screen. It comes with non-detachable straps with four colour options (blue, black, green, and orange). 

The key features include step/sleep/heart rate tracking, direct charging, sedentary reminders, music controls, notifications, and directing charging. The budget wearable is 5ATM water-resistant and has a battery of up to 14 days.  There is support for 50+ personalized watch faces as well.  

Redmi Smart Band is priced at Rs. 1,599 in India. The wearable is available through Amazon, Mi,com, Mi Home stores, and offline retailers. 

For more details on Redmi Fitness Band click here

 

6. Samsung M51 Launches In India with 7000 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy M51 has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs. 24,999. It is the most premium smartphone of Samsung in the M Series. Key features of Galaxy M51 include 7,000 mAh battery, 64MP quad-camera setup, Snapdragon 730G processor. The smartphone is available in 6GB (Rs. 24,999) and 8GB (Rs. 26,999) RAM variants. It will compete against OnePlus Nord, Realme X3 Super Zoom, and Oppo F17 Pro. 

Samsung Galaxy M51 goes on sale starting September 18 via Amazon and Samsung Online Store. It comes in Celestial Black and Electric Blue colour options.  Launch offers include flat Rs. 2000 off on HDFC Bank Cards & EMI. Up to Rs. 18,000 off on exchange, and 6 months No cost EMI. 

For More details on Samsung M51 Click here

 

Upcoming Smartphone Flash Sales Online

Mobile	Price	Sale Date	Website
Poco M2	Rs. 10,999 Onwards	15th September at 12 Noon	Flipkart
Samsung Galaxy M51	Rs. 24,999 Onwards	18th September at 12 Noon	Amazon
Redmi 9	Rs. 8,999	14th September at 12 Noon	Amazon
Redmi 9 Prime	Rs. 9,999	14th September at 12 Noon	Amazon

 

These were some of the latest happenings of the week from around the web. Amazon and Flipkart have begun preparations for festive season sales. This festive season we expect great offers from JioMart as well. This year, JioMart had come with an Independence day sale as well. 

Also, we are seeing a lot of products launched by Xiaomi, under its sub-brands such as Redmi and Poco. And finally this week we got some updates on Jio’s low-cost android which looks set for a December launch. Stay tuned for interesting articles, best deals, freebies and more.  

 

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