JioPhone Vs Airtel’s Karbonn A40 4G Phone: What’s The Difference?

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The Airtel’s low-cost 4G Phone, Karbonn A40 is officially unveiled to counter the Reliance Jio’s JioPhone. While Jio developed the VoLTE enabled JioPhone feature phone from scratch, Airtel is subsiding the smartphone which is already available in the market. Now, let’s look at the key difference between the JioPhone and the Airtel’s Karbonn A40 4G Phone.

Device Price & Cashback

The JioPhone is launched at Rs. 1,500 and the full amount will be refunded back when the user returns the device after three years of usage. To eligible for the 100% refund, the user needs to spend Rs. 4,500 on recharges in the three years of usage. Coming to the Airtel’s 4G Phone, it is priced at Rs. 2,899 and only Rs. 1,500 will be refunded after three of usage. Unlike JioPhone, the Airtel 4G Phone user can keep the device even after claiming the refund amount. In the three year period, the user also needs to make recharges worth of Rs. 6,000.

Special Plan’s Price & Validity

The Jio 4G’s special plan for JioPhone costs Rs 149 for prepaid users and Rs 149 + GST for postpaid users. Whereas Airtel is offering its Rs 169 special plan only for the prepaid users. Both the Airtel and Jio 4G special plans on prepaid come with 28 days validity. On the other hand, the Jio 4G special plan for the postpaid users comes with a validity of one billing cycle.

Unlimited Voice Calls & Data

While Jio 4G is offering truly unlimited voice calls (FUP -300 minutes/day) across India, Airtel is only offering unlimited local and STD voice calls (FUP – 250 minutes/day). Airtel will be charging for the calls made on the roaming network. Coming to the 4G data, both the operator offers high-speed data of 0.5GB per day. After 0.5GB data usage, the speeds on Jio 4G are reduced to 128Kbps, whereas the post 0.5GB usage on Airtel will be charged at Rs 4,000 per GB. Unlike the Jio, the Airtel can make calls and access internet even in the areas without the 4G network.

SIM- Lock

The JioPhone is sold with SIM-locked feature and can’t be used with any other network. Whereas the Airtel 4G Phone users can opt for any network, but the cashback is only provided for Airtel users. Unlike the JioPhone, the Airtel’s smartphone comes with dual SIM dual standby support and the user can use other network’s SIM alongside the Airtel SIM.

Hardware Info

On the hardware, we can’t compare the feature phone with T9 keyboard and smartphone with touchscreen. While Jio 4G aims to tap the feature phone users with its innovative device, Airtel is more focused on first-time smartphone users. The features like media streaming and NFC payment place JioPhone ahead of any other feature phone. On the other hand, there are several other low-cost 4G VoLTE smartphones available in the market.

While using a feature phone or smartphone come downs to personal preference, the Jio Rs 149 unlimited plan offers much better value than Airtel Rs 169 plan. Airtel with 2G/3G network support can also be used in the areas without adequate coverage. Compared to other incumbent operators, Jio has wide 4G VoLTE coverage across the country offering HD voice calls and high-speed data.

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