Qualcomm, a US-based semiconductor maker, is working with OEMs to launch a new smartphone priced under $99. The new device would be very much suited for the Indian market, which is extremely price-sensitive. Today, 5G phones are not available under Rs 10,000. But Qualcomm will try to launch one under Rs 8000 or $99.
The new affordable 5G phone could help fasten the transition of 250 million 2G/3G users in India to 4G/5G. There’s no timeline for when the new chip from Qualcomm will be available for the OEMs, but the work is ongoing.
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The best thing would be that such an affordable smartphone will be able to support 5G SA (standalone), which Jio has deployed across the nation. According to a MoneyControl report, Chris Patrick, SVP and General Manager of Handsets, Qualcomm, said: "With the new chipset, we are looking to give a full 5G experience to consumers looking for affordable smartphones."
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Reliance Jio was expected to come up with a low-cost 5G phone offering for the Indian market at some point. This would give Jio an option to make Qualcomm a strategic partner for making affordable smartphones.
The 5G chip that would power the low-cost 5G phone Qualcomm would be a good way for the OEMs to flood the market with low-cost 5G phone offerings. That would help with increasing the 5G adoption at a record pace.
