Google Reliance Jio reportedly working on an affordable 4G VoLTE Android phone

According to a new report from Hindu Business Line, Google and Realiance Jio are working on an affordable 4G smartphone. 

The phone will run Android and will work exclusively on Reliance Jios 4G VoLTE network. Moreover, Jios app suite will be deeply integrated with the Android platform. It is expected to be launched before the end of this year.

Jio already sells Android smartphones ranging between Rs. 2,999 and Rs. 20,000 under its LYF brand with 4G VoLTE support, which has fared well in the country, given the fact that the phone was limited to Jios network. But the new phone will carry Googles branding, which should help boost sales of the phone and help Jio capture a large share in the market. Unfortunately, there is no word on the specs, or whether the phone will be part of Android One initiative.

The report also mentions that Google and Jio are also working together on developing software for Jios smart TV service, which will also be launched later this year as well.

This is not the first time Google is partnering with an Indian vendor to launch smartphone. Previously, The Pixel-phone maker, teamed up with Micromax, Lava, Karbonn and Spice, for affordable Android One devices in 2014, but after lukewarm response, Google abandoned the platform in India. 

Via