Vodafone has announced a new handset, VF 150, available for just Rs 799. At this price, VF 150 is probably the most low cost GSM handset available in the country, as of now. The device will enable customers to use voice and text based services and will be available across the country in the next few days. The phone comes with a 1 inch black and white display which supports a Resolution of 96 x 64 pixels and runs on a Taiwan-based chip designer MediaTek’s Neptune platform.
A Vodafone spokesperson told Telecom Yatra that the next low cost handset, VF 250, is in the pipeline and that it will be launched soon. This device is to come with a colour screen and will be priced at less than Rs 1,000.
Vodafone mentioned in a press statement that the company aims to increase mobile technology accessibility among the large and isolated rural population.
Vodafone has been able to significantly reduce manufacturing costs by focusing on a custom-built feature set and packaging design. VF 150 comes with a one year handset replacement warranty. The price of Rs 799 includes 4 per cent VAT (this price could vary in a few states owing to different tax structures).
The two handsets were first showcased at the Mobile World Congress held at Barcelona, Spain in Februray. Vodafone had then shared plans of launching the handsets first in India and then in six African markets.