Idea launches two new affordable 3G smartphones

Idea has launched two new Android smartphones, Blade and id380, with support for 3G at a price starting at as low as Rs. 5,850. The network operator believes this would further accelerate the pace at which users are employing 2G and upgrading to 3G services in urban regions. 

Affordable 3G smartphones

The Idea Blade and id380 smartphones are priced at Rs.7,992 and Rs.5,850, respectively. On bundling them with the 3G pack provided by Idea, users can take home 3G application services worth Rs.3,500 at a price of Rs.259. Available for both pre-paid and post paid customers, the pack includes free subscription to Idea TV for 3 months, 1GB of data download per month for 3 months, 3G Double Dhamaka benefits for 6 months, and Talktime of Rs.25.

The 3G smartphone that costs Rs.5,850, along with the pack would eventually come for a value of Rs. 2,609, says the company. Both phones run on Android 2.2 and are capable of serving as Wi-Fi routers, the Blade embeds a 3.5-inch touchscreen and the id380 comes with a 2.8-inch display.

Both handsets share a list of common features:

• Android 2.2 OS
• 3.2MP camera
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Social media integration – Facebook, Twitter, Orkut
• Opera Mini browser
• Idea TV

Launching the new phones, Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular said, “Idea has always innovated to support the telecom services penetration in the country. In line with this commitment, Idea has introduced affordable, yet fully loaded 3G smartphones which will now fuel the aspirations of the evolving mobile user in India. The new smartphones will further drive our existing 3G services in areas of industrial and commercial activity, centers of learning, and high potential rural hinterlands.”

These affordable 3G Idea smartphones will be made available across major mobile retail stores and Idea outlets.