Update: The handset is available for pre-booking, but no one I know has successfully placed an order yet. Ringing bells will take only 2.5 Lakh pre-orders, which it intends to deliver before the end of June.
Ringing Bells, a lesser known domestic manufacturer has launched a ludicrously cheap smartphone, Freedom 251, which costs only Rs. 251 ($3.65 US) and is now the cheapest smartphone in the world. That’s arguably lesser than what you would pay for a pizza or a movie ticket, and thus the Freedom 251 has become company’s shot at instant fame.
Just-in: Ringing Bells explains ADCOM logo on Freedom 251
This feels more of a marketing stunt which seems to be working rather well. Ringing Bell is already trending on Social Media Channels as its perhaps impossible to ignore it or to not ponder upon times we live in when you come across a phone that cheap.
Besides, specifications appear to be quite decent for the trifling price, if you compare them to other low-end Android phones, and that makes us skeptical about whether Ringing Bells will be pushing sizeable stocks in the market after all.
Also Read: Should you buy the Honor 5X or LeEco Le 1s? – Comparison, What Matters, What Doesn’t
Entry-level smartphones target first time users who are restricted by a budget and are switching from feature phones. We would still say feature phones experience is million times better than half-baked Android experience, but for many people these are the only means for connecting with the online world.
“WhatsApp toh chalega na?” (at least WhatsApp will work?) is a consumer sentiment or query that we often hear that sums it up well.
Also Read: Coolpad Note 3 Lite Review – Best Phone Under 7,000 INR?
Coming back to Ringing Bell Freedom 251, the handset includes 4-inch IPS display with 960 x 540 (quarter HD) pixels spread across it. It is powered by unspecified 1.3 GHz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM, 8GB storage and is running Android 5.1 Lollipop software.
Other features include 3.2MP rear camera, VGA front camera, 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth, GPS and 1450 mAh battery. The handset will come preloaded with apps like Women Safety, Swachh Bharat, Framers, WhatsApp, Facebook and Fisherman.
Recommended: Best Smartphones Under 6000 INR
Freedom 251 will be available from company’s official website and booking for the same starts on 18th February 6 AM. The company claims to have over 650 service centers in India.
Key Specifications and Features of Freedom 251:
| Model | Freedom 251 |
| Display | 4-Inch, qHD 960 X 540 |
| Processor | 1.3 GHz Quad-Core chipset |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR3 RAM |
| Internal Storage | 8GB, Expandable |
| Software | Android Lollipop |
| Primary Camera | 3.2MP |
| Secondary Camera | VGA |
| Dimensions and weight | 155 x 79.6 x 7.4mm and 145g |
| Battery | 1450 mAh removable |
| Others | 3G, Dual SIM |
| Price | 251 INR |
