Ringing Bells launches world’s cheapest Smartphone at Rs 251 in India

NEW DELHI: Noida-based newbie mobile handset maker Ringing Bells has announced the launch of world’s cheapest Smartphone – ‘Freedom 251’ costing just Rs 251 (about $5) in India. The phone prototype was launched by senior BJP leader and Lok Sabha Member Murli Manohar Joshi.

"We envisioned ‘India Innovates, India Makes’ to create technology that is not only inexpensive to reach the masses but also useful for them. With Freedom 251, Ringing Bells has achieved both an exceedingly affordable price of just Rs 251 and the feature rich smartphone loaded with useful apps for farmers, fishermen, women and students. I wish them well and hope Freedom 251 will bring a significant societal impact to put India on an inclusive growth path," said Joshi.

The new device runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box. It is equipped with a 4.0-inch qHD IPS LCD display. The phone has a 3.2-megapixel primary camera, and a VGA secondary camera.

The new phone has 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory. The storage can be expanded using the built in microSD card slot. On the connectivity front, there seems to be a single SIM card slot (3G), Wi-Fi b/g/n, BluetoothaGPS, and a microUSB port. The device comes with a 1,450 mAh battery.

The company's new phone comes bundled with India-specific apps like Farmer, Fisherman, Medical, Swachh Bharat, Women Safety as well as global apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube.

Going ahead, bookings for the phone will start tomorrow, February 18 and go on till February 22, and the company will finish all deliveries by June this year.

Ringing Bells’ President Ashok Chadha said that they want to capture nearly 30 per cent of the smartphone market by the end of 2016. "Our strategy has been in sync with the government’s initiatives of ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’ & ‘Skill India’ and anchored on the pivot of ‘Startup India, Standup India’ and 'Make In India'. Starting with the assembly of imported SKD in Phase 1, the company aims at fully indigenous development of the feature rich smartphone including assembly and production facilities, pan India service centers and unique sales and distribution model to drive skill development and employment to the youth of India," he said.

The company has set up two pilot plants in Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and Uttarakhand, and are looking at an investment of Rs 230-250 crore on each plant.

Mohit Goel, Director, Ringing Bells, divulging the thought behind launching the most inexpensive handset in his vote of thanks said, “Our latest offering – ‘Freedom 251’- is a gateway to fulfill the aspirations of millions of Indians, and will provide true digital freedom. It has been our Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s dream to envisage an India that dares to bring about remarkable changes in its policy making, and cater to the demands of every Indian.”