Reliance Jio has really been blowing up lately and understandably so. The company recently announced its plans to offer really competitive tariff plans in India, generally priced lower than the competition. Reliance's main concept seems to be to provide most basic services like voice calls and SMS, essentially for free and pamper users with additional bonuses, like a slew of smart apps, while only requiring payments for data. On the surface, this sounds like a great approach to take the ever-expanding India market by storm and for most users, this might turn out to be a hundred percent true. However, there are a few specifics we feel you must know in order to avoid an abrupt debarking off the hype train.
First of all, let's cover the basics. When we said Reliance Jio is launching a data-first 4G service, this is actually a quite literal description. The company's network only offers LTE service. That means that no fallbacks are present to 3G or 2G, eliminating the possibility to natively use an older device. Voice calls within the network will be done through VoLTE (which must be present on both sides of the conversation, otherwise additional charges do apply) and when you combine the aforementioned two conditions, you can quickly get an idea as to why there has been such a fuss about supported devices lately.
Now, we definitely see why finding if your current handset is supported is a major concern and we wish that there was an easy list or method we could quote. However, there are also a few other factors, like TDD and FDD LTE technologies and LTE Bands that come into play. From what we can gather, Reliance is keeping things as broad as possible, by using 1800 MHz, but the info is unclear on this point as well. That being said, there are at least a few devices that we can already confirm will work on the network with some certainty. Of course, the list also includes the company's own LYF branded devices
| BRAND | PHONES |
| LYF | Earth 1 |
| LYF | Earth 2 |
| LYF | Wind 1 |
| LYF | Wind 2 |
| LYF | Wind 3 |
| LYF | Wind 4 |
| LYF | Wind 5 |
| LYF | Wind 6 |
| LYF | Wind 7 |
| LYF | Flame 1 |
| LYF | Flame 2 |
| LYF | Flame 3 |
| LYF | Flame 4 |
| LYF | Flame 5 |
| LYF | Flame 6 |
| LYF | Flame 8 |
| LYF | Water 1 |
| LYF | Water 2 |
| LYF | Water 4 |
| LYF | Water 5 |
| LYF | Water 6 |
| LYF | Water 7 |
| LYF | Water 8 |
| LYF | Water 10 |
| Apple | iPhone 6 |
| Apple | iPhone 6 Plus |
| Apple | iPhone 6s |
| Apple | iPhone 6s Plus |
| Apple | iPhone SE |
| Samsung | S7 |
| Samsung | Galaxy Note Edge |
| Samsung | Galaxy S6 Edge Plus |
| Samsung | Galaxy Note Edge |
| Samsung | Galaxy Core Prime 4G |
| Samsung | Galaxy Note 4 |
| Samsung | Galaxy Note 5 |
| Samsung | Galaxy A5 |
| Samsung | Galaxy A7 |
| Samsung | Galaxy A8 |
| Samsung | Galaxy S6 |
| Samsung | Galaxy A7 (A710FD) |
| Samsung | S7 Edge |
| Samsung | A8 VE |
| Samsung | Galaxy J5 |
| Samsung | Galaxy J2 |
| Samsung | Galaxy J7 |
| Samsung | Galaxy On5 |
| Samsung | Samsung On7 |
| Sony | Xperia Z5 Dual |
| Sony | Xperia Z5 Premium Dual |
| LG | Spirit 4G |
| LG | Google Nexus 5x |
| LG | G4 Stylus 4G |
| LG | G3 4G LTE 32GB |
| ZTE | Blade S6 |
| ZTE | Blade S6 Plus |
| Lenovo | Vibe Shot |
| Lenovo | A6000 Plus |
| Intex | Aqua Ace Mini |
| Intex | Aqua 4G Strong |
| Intex | Aqua 4G |
| Karbonn | A71 |
| Motorola | Moto G (3rd Gen) |
| Motorola | Moto E 2nd Gen |
| Motorola | Moto E 2nd Gen |
| Motorola | G Turbo |
| Micromax | Yu Yunique |
| Micromax | Yu Yuphoria |
| Micromax | Canvas Sliver 5 (Q450) |
| Micromax | Canvas Amaze (Q491) |
| Micromax | Canvas Mega 2 Q426 |
| Xiaomi | Mi5 |
| Xiaomi | Redmi Note 3 (H3A) |
| Xiaomi | Redmi 2 Prime |
| Xiaomi | Mi Max |
| Xiaomi | Redmi 3S 8GB |
| Xiaomi | Redmi 3S 16GB |
| Alcatel | Pop3 |
| OPPO | F1 |
Then there is the lengthier still list of partnering devices that had access to Reliance's Preview offer. Chances are that these meet the requirements for the main service as well, although we can't give any guarantees. Reliance seems to be offering a few workarounds to compatibility issue as well, although we are yet to receive any word on how well they perform. There is the JioFi (INR 1,999)– a 4G hotspot device that can connect to up to 10 devices over Wi-Fi and an additional one through USB and relay the service.
| Samsung Galaxy Note 7 | Samsung Grand Prime 4G |
| Samsung Galaxy J1 | Samsung Galaxy J2 |
| Samsung Galaxy J7 | Samsung Galaxy J5 |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A5 |
| Samsung Galaxy A7 | Samsung Galaxy S6 |
| Samsung Galaxy Core Prime 4G | Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) |
| Samsung Galaxy On7 | Samsung Galaxy On5 |
| Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro | Samsung Galaxy On7 Pro |
| Samsung Galaxy A8 | Samsung Galaxy S6 edge |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 5 | Samsung Galaxy Note 4 |
| Samsung Galaxy Alpha | Samsung Galaxy S6 edge Plus |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 4 edge | Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Duos |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo | Samsung Galaxy S7 |
| Samsung Galaxy S7 edge | Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) |
| Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) | Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016) |
| Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) | Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) |
| Samsung Galaxy A8 VE | Samsung Galaxy J Max |
| Samsung Galaxy A9 | Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro |
| Samsung Galaxy C5 | Samsung Galaxy C7 |
| Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro | |
| Micromax Bolt Selfie | Micromax Canvas 5 |
| Micromax Canvas 5 Lite | Micromax Canvas 5 Lite Special Edition |
| Micromax Canvas 6 | Micromax Canvas 6 Pro |
| Micromax Canvas Amaze 4G | Micromax Canvas Blaze 4G |
| Micromax Canvas Blaze 4G Plus | Micromax Canvas Evok |
| Micromax Canvas Fire 4G | Micromax Canvas Fire 4G Plus |
| Micromax Canvas Fire 6 | Micromax Canvas Juice 4G |
| Micromax Canvas Knight 2 | Micromax Canvas Mega 2 |
| Micromax Canvas Mega 4G | Micromax Canvas Nitro 4G |
| Micromax Canvas Pace 4G | Micromax Canvas Play 4G |
| Micromax Canvas Pulse 4G | Micromax Canvas Sliver 5 |
| Micromax Canvas Tab | Micromax Canvas Unite 4 |
| Micromax Canvas Xpress 4G | Micromax Canvas Unite 4 Plus |
| Micromax Canvas Unite 4 Pro | |
| Asus ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) | Asus Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML) |
| Asus Zenfone Max (ZC550KL) | Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 5.0 (ZE500KL) |
| Asus Zenfone 2 (ZE550ML) | Asus Zenfone Selfie (ZD551KL) |
| Asus Zenfone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) | Asus Zenfone Zoom (ZX551ML) |
| Asus Zenfone Go 5.0 LTE (T500) | Asus Zenfone 3 (ZE552KL) |
| Asus Zenfone 3 Laser (ZC551KL) | Asus Zenfone 3 (ZE520KL) |
| Asus Zenfone 3 (ZS570KL) | Asus Zenfone 3 (ZU680KL) |
| LG K7 LTE | LG Stylus 2 |
| LG G5 | LG X Screen |
| LG Stylus 2 Plus | LG G4 Stylus 4G |
| LG Spirit LTE | LG G4 |
| LG X Cam | LG Nexus 5X |
| Lava Pixel V2 | Lava X10 |
| Lava V5 | Lava X50 |
| Lava V2s | Lava A71 |
| Lava A72 | Lava A88 |
| Lava A76 | Lava A89 |
| Lava X46 | Lava X28 |
| Lava X38 | Lava X38 2GB |
| Lava X17 | Lava X12 |
| Lava X11 | Lava X81 |
| Lava Ivory S 4G | Lava V2 3GB |
| Panasonic Eluga L | Panasonic Eluga Switch |
| Panasonic Eluga Icon | Panasonic T45 |
| Panasonic Eluga I2 (1GB) | Panasonic Eluga L2 |
| Panasonic Eluga Mark | Panasonic Eluga Turbo |
| Panasonic Eluga Arc | Panasonic Eluga I2 (2GB) |
| Panasonic Eluga I2 (3GB) | Panasonic Eluga I3 |
| Panasonic Eluga Icon 2 | Panasonic Eluga A2 |
| Panasonic Eluga Note | Panasonic P55 Novo 4G |
| Panasonic Eluga Arc 2 | Panasonic P77 |
| Gionee E8 | Gionee F103 Pro |
| Gionee F103 (1GB) | Gionee F103 (2GB) |
| Gionee F103 (3GB) | GioneeM4 |
| Gionee M5 | Gionee M5 Lite |
| Gionee M5 Lite CDMA | Gionee M5 Plus |
| Gionee P5L | Gionee S Plus |
| Gionee S6 | Gionee S6s |
| Gionee S7 | Gionee V6L |
| Karbonn Aura 1 | Karbonn Aura Power |
| Karbonn Quattro L45 IPS | Karbonn Quattro L50 HD |
| Karbonn Quattro L51 HD | Karbonn Quattro L52 VR |
| Karbonn Quattro L55 HD | |
| YU Yureka | YU Yutopia |
| YU Note | YU Yuphoria |
| YU Yunicorn | YU Yunique |
| YU Yuphoria | YU Yureka Plus |
| YU Yureka S | |
| Xolo Black 1X | Xolo Era 4K |
| Xolo Era X | Xolo Era 4G |
| TCL FIT 5.5 | TCL Pride T500L |
| TCL 560 | TCL 562 |
| Alcatel OneTouch X1 | Alcatel Pixi 4 |
| Alcatel Pixi 5 | Alcatel POP Star |
| Alcatel POP3 | Alcatel POP4 |
| Sony Xperia X A | Sony Xperia X A Ultra |
| Sony Xperia X (F5122) | Sony Xperia Z5 Dual (E6883) |
| Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Dual | |
| HTC Desire 626 Dual SIM | HTC Desire 628 |
| HTC Desire 630 | HTC Desire 728 Dual SIM |
| HTC Desire 820 | HTC Desire 820Q |
| HTC Desire 820S Dual SIM | HTC Desire 825 |
| HTC Desire 826 | HTC Desire 826 Dual SIM |
| HTC Desire 828 Dual SIM | HTC Desire 830 |
| HTC Desire Eye | HTC 10 |
| HTC 10 Life style | HTC One A9 |
| HTC One E9 S Dual SIM | HTC One E9+ Dual SIM |
| HTC One M8 | HTC One M8 Eye |
| HTC One M9 Plus | HTC One M9e |
| HTC One ME Dual SIM | HTC One X9 |
| Intex Aqua 4G | Intex Aqua 4G Star |
| Intex Aqua 4G Strong | Intex Aqua 4G+ |
| Intex Aqua Ace | Intex Aqua Ace 2 |
| Intex Aqua Ace Mini | Intex Aqua Craze |
| Intex Aqua Eco 4G | Intex Aqua GenX |
| Intex Aqua Music | Intex Aqua Power 4G |
| Intex Aqua Raze | Intex Aqua S7 |
| Intex Aqua Secure | Intex Aqua Shine 4G |
| Intex Aqua Strong 5.1 | Intex Aqua Super |
| Intex Aqua Trend | Intex Aqua Turbo 4G |
| Intex Aqua View | Intex Aqua Wing |
| Intex Cloud 4G Smart | Intex Cloud 4G Star |
| Intex Cloud Crystal 2.5D | Intex Cloud Fame 4G |
| Intex Cloud Flash | Intex Cloud Glory 4G |
| Intex Cloud Jewel | Intex Cloud String HD |
| Intex Cloud String V2.0 | Intex Cloud Swift |
| Vivo V3 | Vivo V3Max |
| Vivo Y21L | Vivo Y51L |
| Videocon Graphite1 V45ED | Videocon Krypton 3 V50JG |
| Videocon Q1 | Videocon V50FA3 |
| Videocon V50FG6 | |
Besides getting one of the devices on the first list, the best thing to do to guarantee compatibility seems to be to look for a Reliance Jio partner device deal on Flipkat. That way you also get the card. And if you are not in the market for a new smartphone and just want to get one of the company's pre-paid or post-paid plans, you can surely do that. But, there are a few other things to consider as well. You can get a SIM card from a Reliance Digital Store or Digital Xpress Mini store and it should be a fairly simple process. You have to bring in personal documentation to submit, as well as a photo. Users are reporting Reliance is picky about the latter and it needs to be really recent. Also, arm yourself with some patience, as queues are likely to form. After you get the card, you are just left with a simple verification process via SMS.
Now, for the main course – the tantalizing prices and what they can buy you. Reliance Jio has announced a slew of both pre-paid and post-paid plans. Naturally, they offer different packages, but all seem to share the benefits of free voice calls. Reliance has made a big deal of this, stating that voice will remain free with no roaming charges in India as well, as long as you are a customer. Most plans also offer some text messages for free and free Wi-Fi data. The latter is only applicable through one of the company's own public hotspots and requires a log-in. As for the messages, as well as Wi-Fi and network data, they tends to have a different period of validity, as well as amount, depending on you plan. So, be sure to read the conditions carefully. The same goes for access to Reliance's suite of smart apps, including JioPlay, JioOnDemand, JioBeats, JioMags, JioXpressNews, JioDrive, JioSecurity and JioMoney.
However, the thing that has most people excited are the insanely low prices on data, specifically the pre-paid 4G plans that start at INR 19 and go up to INR 4,999, as well as the postpaid plans from INR 149. We already mentioned the validity concerns that you can also check out in the two nifty pricing tables. There are a few other fine print things to mention as well. If you are planning on using the service on the cheap and going for a low-end pre-paid pack, Reliance says the INR 19, INR 129 or INR 299 vouchers can't be used as a first re-charge by new customers. Also, the former two only have a validity of a day, so they are not exactly practical for a monthly solution. Another thing standing in the way of using such a SIM as a low-cost data-only plan is the condition that you have to make voice or video calls at least once every 90 days and need a balance of at least INR 20 in the card. Otherwise, the mobile connection will be deactivated and you will have 15 days to pay-up and retain your number.
Speaking of video calls, unlike voice, which is absolutely free, they will be debited via your data-calling pack. The situation is the same with data used in the Reliance apps. Thus, even though they are free, they will still eat away at your megabytes. Also, they will only work on the Reliance Jio network. And speaking of data, what happens if you exhaust the provided pack? Well, on a pre-paid plan you will be paying INR 250 per GB with 10KB charge pulse – significantly less of a deal. Post-paid plans won't be charged extra, but speeds will be throttled to 128 Kbps.
But, it's not all hidden fees and weird conditions. On the grand scheme of things, Reliance does seem to offer a good deal, you just have to be really careful as to exactly what you are getting into. Also, there are a few nice additional deals you can benefit from as well. For starters, there is free unlimited 4G data for the first three months. The "welcome offer" starts on September 5 and ends on January 1 2017. Reliance Jio is offering 15 per cent discount for postpaid users who opt for auto-debit option using credit/debit cards/online transfer for their bill. Students with valid ID also get 25 per cent additional 4G and WiFi data benefits. There is also the "Unlimited at Night" perk, for free data between 2am and 5am.
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