DataWind launches smartphone at Rs 1,499 with one year free Internet

DataWind, which is known for its low-budget tablets in India, has launched a new smartphone at a price of only Rs 1,499. The affordable smartphone is called PocketSurfer GZ, and it comes with bundled with one year of free Internet browsing.

“We are focused on driving the cost downward to a level where access to technology becomes universally affordable and democratization of technology finds its true meaning. Therefore, this new launch of smartphone at just Rs 1499 is a step in that direction. This will certainly enhance the connectivity in the developing nations,” said Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of DataWind in a press statement.

PocketSurfer GZ has a touch screen, rear camera and runs the Linux operating system, says the company, though it didn’t give detailed specifications for the phone. “Hands-free communication has become extremely important and we feel strongly that this technology should reach every corner of the world. DataWind aims to breaks the affordability barriers and bandwidth constraints of networks touching the mass of India at a whole new level,” added Tuli in the press statement.

PocketSurfer GZ  is not the only budget smartphone from the company which comes bundled with free Internet. PocketSurfer 2G4X, PocketSurfer 3G4X, PocketSurfer 3G 5 and PocketSurfer 3G4Z are all smartphones with free Internet bundled. The PocketSurfer series is between Rs 2,499 to Rs 5,999 and are listed on the company’s website.

Datawind’s PocketSurfer GZ is one of the cheapest smartphones at this price. The company remains the market leader in tablets in India, according to IDC. Datawind had a 27.6 per cent share as shipments grew at a strong 33.5 per cent over previous quarter in the first quarter of 2016. The overall tablet market though continues to remain flat in India.