Stealing a march on competition, Nokia launched the Nokia 105 entry-level device in India in April 2013. Priced at Rs 1,249, the device was targeted at first-time handset users ? it packs in a TFT screen with 65,000 colours, 8 MB of internal memory and support for 500 contacts.

The Nokia 105 is one of the several low-cost devices available in the market today. With the aim of tapping customers at the bottom of the pyramid and enhancing market penetration, handset vendors such as Samsung and Nokia have been increasingly focusing on this segment. In fact, over the past few years, competition in the low-cost device space has intensified, with indigenous handset players such as Micromax, Videocon and Intex entering this market.

As a result, the market is flooded with handsets that pack in smartphone-like features at prices ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 6,000.

For example, Intex Mobiles recently expanded its cloud device portfolio, with the launch of the Cloud X4 and Cloud Y2 handsets. Both devices function on the Android Jelly Bean 4.2 operating system (OS). The Intex Cloud Y2 is priced at

Rs 6,190 and packs in a 4 inch display and functions on a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor. Other features include 512 MB RAM, 4 GB of internal storage, a 32 GB expandable storage slot and dual cameras (a 5 megapixel rear camera and a VGA front camera). The Intex Cloud X4, priced at Rs 4,590, features a 3.5 inch display, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB of internal storage and dual cameras (a 3.2 megapixel rear camera and a VGA front camera).

Going forward, the low-cost device segment would continue to witness growth. According to industry estimates, the segment would constitute over 91 per cent of overall handset sales. According to ABI?s Mobile Device Shipment Market Data report, low-cost smartphone shipments are expected to grow from 45 million in 2012 to 170 million in 2016.

tele.net takes a look at the recently launched low-cost mobile devices in the Indian market…

Operators

SSTL

The pure-play CDMA player is banking on its handset portfolio for customer acquisition. Currently, its handset portfolio is divided into two categories ? feature and open market devices ? and the handsets are bundled with various voice and data plans.

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited?s (SSTL) latest offering is the Lava L661 device, which has been launched in collaboration with Lava Mobiles. The CDMA handset packs in an MP3 player, a micro SD card slot and expandable memory of up to 4 GB. Other features include an inbuilt alarm, T9 predictive text, vCard and group SMS. The device is priced at Rs 1,199.

Moreover, it recently launched a dual-SIM handset (CDMA + GSM) for customers in Kolkata and West Bengal. The device is priced at Rs 1,699 and packs in a 2.4 inch LCD screen, a built-in audio and video player and recorder, support for MP4 files, a 1.3 megapixel camera, FM radio and Bluetooth technology. According to company officials, the offering is expected to help SSTL acquire GSM subscribers looking for a cost-effective voice product without changing their number.

Idea Cellular

To promote 3G services, Idea Cellular has launched the Idea ID 920 and Idea Aurus III smartphones. Priced at Rs 4,950 and Rs 6,990 respectively, the devices support dual SIM cards, function on the Android OS and have a 1 GHz processor. The ID 920 has a 3.5 inch TFT screen and a 2 megapixel camera; supports video streaming and push mail; and provides access to social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. The Aurus III has a 4 inch capacitive touchscreen and has a 4 GB ROM and 512 MB RAM. It also has a 5 megapixel camera and provides access to social networking sites.

According to the company, launching low-cost 3G devices with high-end features will help break the price barrier for 3G handsets in the market. These handsets come bundled with data benefits and Idea Cellular claims to have sold over 300,000 3G smartphones since entering this space about a year ago.

Handset vendors

Nokia

Once reigning but now flailing, handset major Nokia is pulling out all the stops to regain lost ground. The company has introduced the Nokia 114 feature phone, which supports Urdu, and has a 1.8 inch screen and 16 MB of internal memory (expandable up to 32 GB). The Nokia 114 supports dual SIM cards and is priced at Rs 2,579.

Nokia has also expanded its Asha device portfolio, with the launch of the Asha 310 dual-SIM device. It packs in a 3 inch screen, 4 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 32 GB) and is priced below Rs 5,000.

Samsung

The company continues to bank on its successful Galaxy range of devices to retain market share. It recently launched the Galaxy Star smartphone, which functions on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS. It packs in a 3 inch screen, supports dual SIM cards and has a 2 megapixel camera. Other features include 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of internal memory, which is expandable up to 32 GB. The smartphone is priced at Rs 5,240.

Samsung has also expanded its Rex smartphone portfolio, with the launch of the Rex 90, Rex 80, Rex 70 and Rex 60 devices. These devices are Java based, support dual SIM cards and are priced between Rs 4,300 and Rs 6,500. The Rex 90 packs in a 3.5 inch screen and a 3.15 megapixel camera and supports Wi-Fi technology, while the Rex 70 and Rex 80 both have a 3 inch screen. The Rex 70 also offers a 2 megapixel camera and 10 MB of internal memory, while the Rex 80 supports a 3 megapixel camera and offers 20 MB of internal memory. The Rex 60 smartphone has a 2.8 inch screen as well as packs in 30 MB of internal memory and a 3 megapixel camera.

Karbonn Mobiles

The company has come a long way since its entry in the Indian handset market in 2009. To further consolidate its market position, it recently launched the A8 smartphone, which functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. It has a 3.9 inch screen and is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor. The smartphone packs in a 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 32 GB). In addition, the device supports dual SIM cards and a 5 megapixel camera. The smartphone is priced at Rs 6,149.

S Mobility

With a market share of 4-5 per cent in the Indian handset space, the device major recently introduced the Smart Flo Pace2 Mi 502 smartphone, which functions on the Android 4.0 OS. It has a 5 inch screen and is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor. The device has 512 MB RAM and 512 MB of internal memory (expandable up to 32 GB). The smartphone also supports dual cameras (a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 1.3 megapixel front camera) and technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is priced at Rs 6,999.

Micromax

Micromax, which entered the Indian smartphone space in March 2008, garnered a market share of 19 per cent in the first quarter of 2013. Continuing its focus on the low-end handset segment, it expanded its Bolt series of smartphones by launching the A 35 device. The smartphone functions on the Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread OS and is powered by a 1 GHz processor. It also packs in dual cameras (a 2 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3 megapixel front camera), and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 technologies. The A35 is priced at Rs 4,250.

Celkon

With an eye on tapping the business opportunities offered by the rapid uptake of smartphones in the country, Celkon has been expanding its handset portfolio. The company?s Campus handset series is currently available on Infibeam. The portfolio comprises the Campus A 63 and the Campus 60 devices. The Campus A 63 functions on the Android Jelly Bean OS and is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor. The device has a 4 inch capacitive screen, a 3.2 megapixel camera and internal memory of 32 GB, and supports Wi-Fi connectivity. The Campus A 60 has similar features, but functions on the Android Ice Cream Sandwich platform and has a 4.5 inch capacitive screen. The devices are priced at Rs 4,500 and Rs 5,200 respectively.

Videocon

Aiming to tap first-time smartphone customers, Videocon has introduced the A24 smartphone, which functions on the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. The smartphone has a 4 inch screen, 512 MB of internal memory and a 256 MB RAM. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and supports dual SIM cards and cameras (a 3.2 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3 megapixel front camera). The A24 supports technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPRS Edge, and is priced at Rs 4,699.

Lava International

The company has launched the 3G 356 and 3G 402 entry-level Android smartphones. The Lava 3G 356 is priced at Rs 4,499, while the Lava 3G 402 is priced at Rs 5,499. Both devices function on the Android Jelly Bean platform and have a dual-core processor. Also, both devices have a 512 MB ROM and 256 MB RAM. The Lava 3G 356 has a 3.5 inch screen and packs in a 1.3 megapixel camera. The Lava 3G 402 device has a 4 inch screen and packs in a 5 megapixel camera.

Huawei India

Huawei India has introduced the Ascend Y 210 D device. The smartphone functions on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, supports dual SIM cards and packs in a 3.5 inch screen. It is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Cortex A5 processor, has a 2 megapixel camera, supports Wi-Fi technology and is priced at Rs 4,999.