Micromax announced the competitor of the “India ka smartphone” to plummet the market share of Reliance Jio. Nicknamed as the Bharat 1, an ultra-affordable 4G feature phone, which unlike JioPhone is compatible with all cellular networks.
But, does the Micromax Bharat 1 stand a chance against the towering JioPhone that has received a tremendous response so far? Let’s find out in our detailed review on both the phones.
Reliance JioPhone vs Micromax Bharat 1 Specifications
| Model | JioPhone | Bharat 1 |
| Display | 2.4-inch, QVA 320X240 Pixels | 2.4-inch, QVA 320X240 Pixels |
| Processor | 1GHz Dual-core processor | Qualcomm 205 Mobile platform |
| RAM | 512MP | 512MB |
| Internal Storage | 4GB, expandable up to 128GB | 4GB, expandable up to 32GB |
| Software | KAI OS | Android-based OS |
| Primary Camera | 2MP | 2MP |
| Front Camera | 0.2MP | VGA |
| Battery | 2,000mAh, removable | 2,000mAh removable |
| Others | 4G VoLTE single sim, WiFi, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.1 with BLE, NFC, Jio Media Cable support, Wireless FM | 4G VoLTE, dual-sim, WiFi, Hotspot, Bluetooth, micro-USB, GPS |
| Price | Rs. 1,500* | Rs. 2,200 |
Also Read: Nokia 7 vs Moto X4 Specs Comparison: Best Mid-range Smartphone
Design and Display
At the design front, both the feature phones look very similar and have the same size display. The Bharat 1 has more rounded corners and flatter keypad and the JioPhone looks blockier in comparison, but these are minor differences that feature phone users, perhaps, won’t mind.
Neither of the two supports touch input, and you will have to maneuver them using the keypad. JioPhone also has a dedicated voice key and accepts voice commands which can be an added bonus for those habituated to touch interfaces.
Also Read: Best phones with 3GB RAM and 4G VoLTE Under Rs. 8,000
Other than that, both phones – JioPhone and Bharat 1 – are packed in a sturdy plastic body with a removable back panel with battery, SIM slots, and microSD card slot present underneath.
Performance and Software
Talking about the performance, JioPhone and Bharat 1 comes with 4GB of expandable storage space and 512MB of RAM. The JioPhone rocks on either Spreadtrum or Qualcomm 200 processor and the Micromax Bharat 1 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 Mobile platform.
The hardware should feel decidedly primitive when compared to smartphones, but is good enough to fuel these feature phones. Don’t expect them to be blazing fast though. Demanding tasks like voice navigation on JioPhone will be a tad sluggish.
Also Read: WhatsApp Adds Live Location-Sharing Feature for Android and iOS
Moving on to the software part, the JioPhone runs on the Kai OS – based on the Firefox OS, whereas the Bharat 1 boots on a forked version of Android. There is not much difference in the interface but, the one in Micromax holds an edge as it is open to developers to port popular Android applications to this platform.
Camera, Battery, and Connectivity
Both the Micromax Bharat 1 and the JioPhone sport the standard 2MP rear-facing camera and VGA shooter at the front, and houses a 2000mAh battery.
In terms of connectivity, JioPhone will remain a single SIM device which is locked to Jio’s network. Additionally, it will have Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 with BLE, GPS, USB 2.0, NFC and Wireless FM. The NFC benefit will allow a user to make digital payments using JioPhone.
The Bharat 1 is a dual-SIM 4G feature phone that also supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi hotspot, GPS, Bluetooth, FM Radio, micro-USB and USB tethering as connectivity options. The phone will be open to all carriers and is also compatible with 2G and 3G bands.
Additional Features
The entertainment value on both the feature phones is very high. In JioPhone you have JioApps, which gives you access to JioMusic and JioCinema, along with the facility to transmit content to your television set via Jio TV Cable. Whereas, Bharat 1 has the Fun app that offers Live TV, music, movies, and videos on the go. We are betting Micromax will have a tough time matching the high content aggregation standard set by Jio Apps.
Price and Tariffs
As you might know, the JioPhone is effectively free of cost. It comes with a one-time payment of Rs. 1500, a usage period of 36 months, and return policy that can give your money back.
However, it is not that easy there is a catch here. For a full refund, a user has to use the phone for complete three years and make recharges amounting to Rs 1,500 per year. The basic tariff plan offered is the Rs 153 for 28 days, which offers free voice calls, unlimited data, 300 free SMSes and access to Jio app.
Also Read: Jio Reveals New Dhan Dhana Dhan Tariff Plans This Diwali
On the other hand, the calculation on Bharat 1 is much simpler. You have to make a one-time non-refundable payment of Rs. 2,200, that’s it. And, if you wish to use the BSNL-sim on the phone, the basic tariff plan will start from Rs. 97/month for unlimited calling and data.
How the phone will cost you year-on-year basis?
| Price (incl. Tariff rates) | JioPhone | Bharat 1 |
| Effective Price after 1 year of Ownership | Rs. 3,336 | Rs. 3,364 |
| Effective Price after 2 years of Ownership | Rs. 5,172 | Rs. 4,528 |
| Effective Price after 3 years of Ownership | Rs. 5,508 (price after refund) | Rs. 5,692 |
Verdict
The JioPhone has an advantage of being associated with a faster and more pervasive network. It also includes smart features like mobile payments, will give you access to a broader content repository, and can also be used to stream content on a bigger TV (using a custom cable).
Micromax Bharat 1 offers more freedom of choice and flexibility in terms of cheaper monthly tarrifs, dual-SIM slots, support for other mobile operators, 2G and 3G networks, and WiFi hotspot capability. These are significant advantages because most feature phone users prioritize seamless, reliable, and cheaper calling experience.
Your choice should depend on what you care for more, and of course, the operator that has better coverage in your area.
