Jio Phone - Talk · DIGIT-ARC

Whenever I face internet outage, I feel that I should buy a smartphone so that I can use internet uninterrupted.

Few years back I bought this Airtel 3G dongle. Since I couldn't keep recharging/using the number, Airtel sim deactivated after few months and I needed to buy another sim. Maintaining two numbers isn't possible for me. So when internet is down, I recharge my BSNL number for 3G data. Remove the sim from my mobile and put it in 3G dongle and use it (yeah, I am still using a decade old feature phone). It's not a smooth experience. May be it's because I am using BSNL sim in Airtel dongle or something? I don't know (yeah it's unlocked). For months, I have been thinking about buying Jio phone and use it's internet in my PC.

Yesterday, there was internet outage and soon after my landline too gone. Now I needed something, I recharged BSNL number for 3G data. And it didn't work either. Urgently, I needed internet. I don't want to delay it anymore. Went to the nearby shop and bought the Jio phone. After the purchase, I learned that I can't connect Jio phone to my PC to use it's internet. MY BAD.

Now I can't sell/transfer it to anyone else, I guess. At least that's what terms and condition says.
I can't give back the phone to Jio and take refund.
Since I can't use it's internet in my PC, there is no use for me. So most likely I won't be using this number and I can't use any other sim in this phone.

I guess this 1653/- (including recharge) gone total waste unless there is something I can do. If you guys know any way, let me know.

does it have a wifi hotspot feature?if yes,then you can set it up as a hotspot and connect to it from your pc using a wifi adapter to use its internet connectivity.

Whats stopping you from selling the phone ?

quicky008 said:
does it have a wifi hotspot feature?if yes,then you can set it up as a hotspot and connect to it from your pc using a wifi adapter to use its internet connectivity.

No, it doesn't have. I can use other's internet using wifi, but I can't share mine neither via wifi nor via cable.

Nerevarine said:
Whats stopping you from selling the phone ?

It's non transferable. Since it's not an outright purchase, I can't sell it to anyone. If someone I know wants it, I can give them and take it back after 3 yrs.
Here is what terms and condition says

The Recipient has no right to sell, lease, assign, and transfer or otherwise dispose-of the JioPhone in any manner whatsoever.

M

nac said:
Whenever I face internet outage, I feel that I should buy a smartphone so that I can use internet uninterrupted.

Few years back I bought this Airtel 3G dongle. Since I couldn't keep recharging/using the number, Airtel sim deactivated after few months and I needed to buy another sim. Maintaining two numbers isn't possible for me. So when internet is down, I recharge my BSNL number for 3G data. Remove the sim from my mobile and put it in 3G dongle and use it (yeah, I am still using a decade old feature phone). It's not a smooth experience. May be it's because I am using BSNL sim in Airtel dongle or something? I don't know (yeah it's unlocked). For months, I have been thinking about buying Jio phone and use it's internet in my PC.

Yesterday, there was internet outage and soon after my landline too gone. Now I needed something, I recharged BSNL number for 3G data. And it didn't work either. Urgently, I needed internet. I don't want to delay it anymore. Went to the nearby shop and bought the Jio phone. After the purchase, I learned that I can't connect Jio phone to my PC to use it's internet. MY BAD.

Now I can't sell/transfer it to anyone else, I guess. At least that's what terms and condition says.
I can't give back the phone to Jio and take refund.
Since I can't use it's internet in my PC, there is no use for me. So most likely I won't be using this number and I can't use any other sim in this phone.

I guess this 1653/- (including recharge) gone total waste unless there is something I can do. If you guys know any way, let me know.

Use that phone for now else let your mom or someone in your family use it for calls or you can use that phone as landline too.

I remember the jio phone was a heater even if you were not using internet. It used to get so hot, your ears will hurt while talking. Absolutely terrible build

So the phone doesn't come with a SIM card? That you can pop out and use it in another phone/dongle instead?

Minion said:
Use that phone for now else let your mom or someone in your family use it for calls or you can use that phone as landline too.

Every one in my family already have got a mobile phone.
Not a lot I can do right now. Yeah, that's all I can do now, just use it. At the end of the year, I think Jio will take back the phone as I wouldn't have spent 1500/- for recharging by then.

Nerevarine said:
I remember the jio phone was a heater even if you were not using internet. It used to get so hot, your ears will hurt while talking. Absolutely terrible build

I am not a heavy user, and I am yet to face that issue.

Vyom said:
So the phone doesn't come with a SIM card? That you can pop out and use it in another phone/dongle instead?

Yeah, it does comes with a sim card. I can pop out and use it in another phone/dongle, just that I don't have 4G compatible phone. If I already had one, I would have just gone for SIM only option, not this one.

nac said:
Yeah, it does comes with a sim card. I can pop out and use it in another phone/dongle, just that I don't have 4G compatible phone. If I already had one, I would have just gone for SIM only option, not this one.

Well, I was planning to get a Jio SIM to use as a dual SIM in my LG G6 for Internet usage. I am not satisfied with Airtel's 4G, but my friend's Jio SIM's internet works flawlessly.

nac said:
Yeah, it does comes with a sim card. I can pop out and use it in another phone/dongle, just that I don't have 4G compatible phone. If I already had one, I would have just gone for SIM only option, not this one.

Well, I was planning to get a Jio SIM to use as a dual SIM in my LG G6 for Internet usage. I am not satisfied with Airtel's 4G, but my friend's Jio SIM's internet works flawlessly.

Should've bought a jiofi or just a jio sim instead of the phone.

M

Vyom said:
Well, I was planning to get a Jio SIM to use as a dual SIM in my LG G6 for Internet usage. I am not satisfied with Airtel's 4G, but my friend's Jio SIM's internet works flawlessly.

Jio is much better than other operators service and network coverage are very good here.

Why didn't you buy JioFi router?

"The Recipient has no right to sell, lease, assign, and transfer or otherwise dispose-of the JioPhone in any manner whatsoever."

I have no idea how can they impose this. If another jio sim can be used with the phone, what's the problem in selling it to somebody else?

After one month use.

Typing is not easy. Even dictionary option is not good. My Nokia feature phone is lot better. (1110i)
It's heavier and lot slower than my Nokia.
Battery life is not as good as I expected. It lasts for about 3 days if I use only for calling. Nokia will last for about 5 days despite having smaller capacity battery.
Battery won't last more than 1.5 days, if used for watching video content.
With 700mah charger, it takes more than 2.5hrs from ~20% to fully charge the battery.
When using Jio TV/Jio Cinema sometimes phone hangs. I have to remove the battery and put it back to make the phone work again.
Can't share files via message and Jio chat is almost useless for sharing files.
Sharing things like a link from browser/map is not possible via message. Only share option I can see is bluetooth.
There is no one click exit from any app. Have to click back button several times.
Seems like there is only two sound profile. One is silent and another is sound. :-x

Jio is spamming our inbox with messages and calls to recharge when due date is nearing.
Using Jioswitch is not smooth. May be it's because I am not used with sharing files via wifi. I don't know.
I recharged 153/- plan when I bought thinking that I can use it's internet on PC. In one month total data I used on this phone is just 1.5GB. I think if/when I recharge, I should stick with just 49/- plan.

I don't think Jio will bring wifi hotspot (the reason I bought this phone) to Jiophone or it's 2nd iteration Jiophone2. Bringing youtube, whatsapp, google map is not good enough for me. If they bring hotspot feature to jiophone, it will be nice. :pray:

Vineet Sharma said:
Why didn't you buy JioFi router?

"The Recipient has no right to sell, lease, assign, and transfer or otherwise dispose-of the JioPhone in any manner whatsoever."

I have no idea how can they impose this. If another jio sim can be used with the phone, what's the problem in selling it to somebody else?

as per their terms & conditions, this Jio Phone is THEIR PROPERTY which is only LEASED / Given on RENT to the user. The amount taken (1500) is just Security Deposit which is Refundable after 3 years when the user returns the phone to the company.

Since the user is not buying the phone and it remains someone else's property, the user has no right to sell it to some other person.

B

vidhubhushan said:
as per their terms & conditions, this Jio Phone is THEIR PROPERTY which is only LEASED / Given on RENT to the user. The amount taken (1500) is just Security Deposit which is Refundable after 3 years when the user returns the phone to the company.

Since the user is not buying the phone and it remains someone else's property, the user has no right to sell it to some other person.

And they can reject the security if there is any wear and tear. So, use a protector lol
OP
You should exchange it with Jiofone 2, only if it serves your purpose.

Nokia 3310 4G is a feature phone runs YunOS, support wifi hotspot
Nokia 8810 4G is a feature phone runs the same KaiOS as Jiophone but supports wifi hotspot
Micromax Bharat 1 - V409 is a feature phone runs android, supports wifi hotspot.

Knowing that these can support wifi hotspot while mine doesn't is irritating. Jio deliberately disabled that feature. :-x

I thought the new 501 exchange offer is an outright purchase of Jio phone. But it's again the same leasing thing with the same terms and conditions to get the refund. I guess only the 501/- will be refunded not the phone we gave them during exchange. At the end of three years, we will have no phone but just the sim card. I don't find this offer any attractive at all.

B

nac said:
I thought the new 501 exchange offer is an outright purchase of Jio phone. But it's again the same leasing thing with the same terms and conditions to get the refund. I guess only the 501/- will be refunded not the phone we gave them during exchange. At the end of three years, we will have no phone but just the sim card. I don't find this offer any attractive at all.

One more "hidden" term and condition with this is that you will have to recharge in advance for 6 months for around 599 so the final price is 1100/-

billubakra said:
One more "hidden" term and condition with this is that you will have to recharge in advance for 6 months for around 599 so the final price is 1100/-

In fact, it's not a big deal. Any how if one wants to return the phone and get back the deposit, he has to recharge for 1500/- per annum. This 594/- can be deducted from that 1500/- recharge.
The only difference I see is, last year they paid 1500/- as deposit.
In this offer they are giving their old phone and paying 501/- as deposit.
More fine prints.
In their site, they say Nokia 1110 is eligible for exchange. But in third party site, it's mentioned that the phones bought on or after 1st Jan 2015 are eligible. It's obvious one couldn't have bought Nokia 1110 in 2015. It's kinda grey area, will see...

I don't understand why they have these 49/- and 99/- plan in the first place. Even if one recharges 49 or 99 for the next one year, it wouldn't add up 1500/- at the end of the year. Jio will simply take the phone and pay us no money :-x

I think this 594 will be deducted from 1500 for the first year.
this 49 and 99 are just to lure the customer. also someone can recharge different denominations to add up to 1500 per annum.
i think their initial plan of 153 was introduced keeping in mind this 1500 per year condition. now to add more users, they are using this 99 and now 49 plan as baits.

as per user reviews, Micromax Bharat 1 is having a very slow rather bad hotspot feature which keeps disconnecting.
i think both nokia phones are priced above 3000 so for many people, initial cost is more and that is why they opt for jiophone.

billubakra said:
And they can reject the security if there is any wear and tear. So, use a protector lol
OP
You should exchange it with Jiofone 2, only if it serves your purpose.

normal usage wear n tear is allowed as per their terms though this is a subjective thing.
have they come up with any exchange offer on Jiophone 2? i have not heard it.

B

vidhubhushan said:
normal usage wear n tear is allowed as per their terms though this is a subjective thing.
have they come up with any exchange offer on Jiophone 2? i have not heard it.

Subjective thing won't let them take any phone back. What's normal for us won't be normal for them.
I think after paying 500 bucks you can exchange your current jio phone with the second gen one.

billubakra said:
Subjective thing won't let them take any phone back. What's normal for us won't be normal for them.
I think after paying 500 bucks you can exchange your current jio phone with the second gen one.

that 501 offer is for Jiophone 1 only

vidhubhushan said:
I think this 594 will be deducted from 1500 for the first year.
also someone can recharge different denominations to add up to 1500 per annum.

Yes, 594/- will be deducted from 1500/-
I have thought about it, but not sure if top up counts as recharge. Have to clarify with the customer care before one do.
Jio started shipping Jio phone last Sep'17. In two months, one years completes. We will know if Jio enforces that 1500/- recharge per annum thing and take back the phone for those who didn't recharge for 1500/- for the first year.

vidhubhushan said:
have they come up with any exchange offer on Jiophone 2? i have not heard it.

billubakra said:
I think after paying 500 bucks you can exchange your current jio phone with the second gen one.

After Jio announced this 501/- exchange offer @ AGM few weeks ago, online media reported that the we can swap our Jio phone 1 for Jio Phone 2 by paying 501/-. But this turned out to be wrong and many updated their article that the exchange is for any brand old feature phone for Jio Phone 1 not for Jio Phone 2.
As of now, Jio Phone 2 is priced at 2999/-. Not sure if this pricing is for outright purchase or for lease. We will know about this by Aug 15th and more fine prints.

how is the call quality and performance of other features of jio phone? any one used that? is Micromax bharat 1 better in performance in terms of call quality etc.? i am not including hotspot feature in it.

vidhubhushan said:
how is the call quality and performance of other features of jio phone? any one used that? is Micromax bharat 1 better in performance in terms of call quality etc.? i am not including hotspot feature in it.

I have posted my experience here (Post #14)
Call quality is good (this is from someone who is using Nokia 1110i for over a decade). For someone who is using good/latest phone may have different opinion about this.
What other features?
- Phone is slow, it hangs, pathetic typing experience (worst dictionary), unlocking screen time out lock is not as easy as Nokia, irritating ad banner every time you use an app and after every call.
- Spamming with messages/calls reminding to recharge when due date arrives. About a dozen messages/calls in few hours time span would be extremely irritating.
- You won't receive any message/files from Jio chat if you're not online when the sender is sending the message/files. You will get notification that you have a message in Jio chat, but there won't be anything when open the app.
- Wifi (Jio switch) is not easy to send/receive files.
- Button double clicks sometimes when we just pressed once.
- There is no option to block numbers, only two sound profiles.
- There is no option to change date format (call logs)
- Battery life is not good. Lasts for about 3 days if I used for calls about 10 min a day and couple of messages. Just this, nothing else. My Nokia last longer despite with smaller battery.
- There isn't much to talk about camera, bluetooth is fine, haven't used NFC, can listen to radio without inserting headphone in it's jack.

Jio Phone monsoon hungama has new terms and conditions. Last week it wasn't there.

- Users can't return before 2.5yrs. They can return the phone before 3yrs but not before 2.5yrs, 6 months is ridiculous. If they want to return after 2.5yrs and before 3yrs, they have to pay 501/- + GST as early return charges.
- Users have to use the phone for 300 days a year for 3 yrs for charged services. Meaning they don't have cap in rupees (like in 1500/- security deposit plan) but in days. No, they don't have to recharge for 1500/- a year for 3 years.
Assuming one recharges 49/- plan;
300 days divided by 28 days validity means, 11 recharges. 11*49 = 539/- a year. When buying they bought 594 voucher, that's valid for 6 months. Now they have to spend 1323/- for the next 3 yrs (245/- for the first year and 539/- a year for the last two years) That brings a total of 1917/-. This is comparatively lot better than 4500/-

nac said:
I have posted my experience here (Post #14)
Call quality is good (this is from someone who is using Nokia 1110i for over a decade). For someone who is using good/latest phone may have different opinion about this.

i might go for this as my mother uses speed dial to call me and she is still not comfortable with a touch screen phone even when there is direct shortcut to call. i am mainly interested in call quality. rest all is additional. thanks.

Jio phone has USB tethering to use phone's internet in laptop or PC. Seems like it's been available for quite sometime now, I just found out.
The main reason why I bought Jio Phone, but which wasn't available at the time of buying. Without knowing for sure, I bought and regretted later. Now I am happy that it's available. Wish I learned this a week ago when my broadband was out.