While many were expecting Reliance Jio to launch VoLTE (voice over LTE) phones priced as low as Rs 5,000, it is the Samsung Galaxy On5 that has emerged as India’s cheapest VoLTE-enabled phone.
UPDATE:
As more and more 4G phones have started becoming available, it has become more difficult to keep up a list of all the devices that work on Jio’s network.
Here are a few shortcuts to figure out whether your phone has support for Jio-LTE.
There are two things you have to look out for — support for Jio bands, and support for 4G voice or VoLTE.
RJio operates its LTE network on three bands — 3,5 and 40. Out of these, band 40 (2300 MHz TDD) gives the best speed, but has the worst coverage, while band 5 (850 MHz) gives the best coverage, but offers speeds of only around 1.5-5 Mbps. Band 3 (1800 MHz) offers speeds of around 5-6 Mbps, compared to 10-70 Mbps on Band 40.
Most of the 4G phones being launched in India since June 2016 have support for all three bands, but you can still make sure before you buy the device. The band with the highest number of supported devices is band 3, followed by band 40. Band 5 has the least number of supported devices.
The next thing to look for is support for 4G voice or Voice over LTE (VoLTE). This is NOT THERE on most of the devices built around Mediatek chipsets and introduced in 2015. That includes devices built on Helio X10, MediaTek MT6752, MT6732 etc.
However, some devices built on MediaTek MT6753 and 6735 do come with VoLTE support.
On the other hand, most of the devices built on MediaTek X20, MediaTek P10, Snapdragon 615, 616 and 617 come with support for VoLTE, though there are some that don’t have it.
Similarly, devices built on Snapdragon’s more up-to-date chipsets such as 415, 430, 650, 652, 820, 821 and 212 are very very likely to have built-in support for VoLTE.
Here is a comparison of some of the more popular models, ordered by price. Display resolution refers to the number of pixels (dots) on the screen — the higher this number, the more ‘clarity’ the display will have.
[table id=5 /]
VoLTE refers to the ability of the phone to make voice calls without switching to a 3G or 2G network. Over 99% of the phones in India do not have the technology.
Unlike 2G and 3G, VoLTE sends voices as ‘packet data’, similar to Internet traffic and WhatsApp calls.
This means two things: First, there is no need to switch to 2G or 3G networks, and second, the voice quality can be much much higher than 2G and 3G.
However, being a new technology, the feature is not enabled on most phones even if they have 4G LTE.
UPDATE 2: The following are 4G-enabled phones that are listed by Reliance Jio as having support for the company’s 4G service. Please note that these handsets support 4G data, and may not support VoLTE. If they do not support VoLTE, you will have to use the second SIM to make voice calls, or use the Jio Join app to make voice calls. In other words, the following handsets are covered by the Jio Partner Preview offer, even if they don’t support VoLTE.
If you are planning to buy a new device, please do not use the following chart for reference. Instead look at the chart above.
SAMSUNG
Grand Prime 4G, Galaxy J1, Galaxy J2, Galaxy J7, Galaxy J5, Galaxy S5 Plus, Galaxy A5, Galaxy A7, Galaxy Core Prime 4G, Galaxy S6, Galaxy J3 (2016), ON7, Galaxy A8, Galaxy S6 Edge, ON5, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Galaxy Note 4 Edge, Galaxy Note 5 Duos, Galaxy S5 Neo, S7, Galaxy A5 (2016), Galaxy A7 (2016), S7 Edge, A8 VE, J5 (2016), J7 (2016), ON5 Pro, ON7 Pro, Galaxy J2 (2016), J Max, Galaxy A9, Galaxy A9 Pro, Galaxy C5, Galaxy C7, Galaxy J2 Pro, Galaxy Note 7.
MICROMAX
Bolt Selfie, Canvas 5, Canvas 5 Lite, Canvas 5 Lite Special Edition, Canvas 6, Canvas 6 Pro, Canvas Amaze 4G, Canvas Blaze 4G, Canvas Blaze 4G Plus, Canvas Evok, Canvas Fire 4G, Canvas Fire 4G plus, Canvas Fire 6, Canvas Juice 4G, Canvas Knight 2, Canvas Mega 2, Canvas Mega 4G, Canvas Nitro 4G, Canvas Pace 4G, Canvas Play 4G, Canvas Pulse 4G, Canvas Sliver 5, Canvas Tab, Canvas Unite 4, Canvas Xpress 4G, Unite 4 Plus, Unite 4 Pro
KARBONN
Aura 1, Aura Power, Quattro L45 IPS, Quattro L50 HD, Quattro L51 HD, Quattro L52 VR, Quattro L55 HD
LAVA
A71, A72, A76, A76 Plus, A88, A89, A97, Ivory s 4g, Lava V5 M, Pixel V2, V2s, X10, X11, X12, X17, X28, X38, X41, X41 Plus, X46, X50, X50 Plus, X81
GIONEE
E8, F103 Pro, F103(1GB), F103(2GB), F103(3GB), M4, M5, M5 Lite, M5 Lite CDMA, M5 Plus, P5L, S Plus, S6, S6s, S7, V6L
PANASONIC
ELUGA L, ELUGA Switch, ELUGA Icon, T45, ELUGA I2 ( 1GB ), ELUGA L2, ELUGA Mark, ELUGA Turbo, ELUGA Arc, ELUGA I2 2GB, ELUGA I2 3GB, ELUGA I3, ELUGA Icon 2, ELUGA A2, ELUGA Note, P55 Novo 4G, ELUGA Arc 2, P77
LG
K332 (K7 LTE), K520DY (Stylus 2), K520DY, H860 (LG G5), K500I (X Screen), K535D (Stylus 2 Plus), LGH630D (G4 Stylus 4G) & LGH 442 (LGC70 Spirit LTE)
XOLO
Black-1X M, era 1X, era 2X, era 4G, era 4K, era X
ASUS
ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL), Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML), Zenfone Max (ZC550KL), Zenfone 2 Laser 5.0 (ZE500KL), Zenfone 2 (ZE550ML), Zenfone Selfie( ZD551KL), Zenfone 2 Laser (ZE601KL), Zenfone Zoom(ZX551ML), Zenfone Go 5.0 LTE (T500), Zenfone 3 ZE552KL, Zenfone 3 Laser( ZC551KL), Zenfone 3( ZE520KL), Zenfone 3( ZS570KL), Zenfone 3( ZU680KL)
YU
Yu Yureka, Yu Yutopia, YU Note, Yu Yuphoria, Yunicorn, Yunique, Yuphoria, Yureka Plus, Yureka S
ALCATEL
OneTouch X1, Pixi 4 -5, POP Star, POP3, POP4
TCL
FIT 5.5, Pride T500L, TCL 560, TCL 562
Besides On5 — priced Rs 8,990 on Flipkart — the On7, priced Rs 10,990, also supports Voice over LTE.
Other phones that come with 4G voice support are Samsung Galaxy J5 (Rs 12,390) and J7 (Rs 13,401). Most of Samsung’s higher end models also support voice calling on 4G.
The LG G4 Stylus also supports VoLTE.
Recently launched 3rd generation Moto G and the Sony Xperia Z5 series are also reported to support VoLTE.
Phones containing recent chipsets from Qualcomm, such as Snapdragon 615, 617, 820 and so on also have hardware support for VoLTE. These models include Moto X Style and Play, Yu Yureka Plus etc. However, the feature may be turned off by the software and will require a manufacturer update for activation.
Meanwhile, Reliance Jio is all set to be the first operator to introduce the technology into India from the network side.
It will also launch LYF branded handsets with support for the calling feature, but they’re likely to cost over Rs 10,000.
List of VoLTE phones in India, ordered roughly by price. Please note that italicized models are reported to support VoLTE in international markets. Indian versions are likely to work as well, or may require a software update to do so.
ENTRY-LEVEL
Less than 2 GB RAM models
All LYF models
InFocus M370i (Rs 4,999)
Intex Aqua Power 4G
Intex Aqua Shine 4G
Intex Cloud String HD
Intex Aqua 4G Strong
Intex Aqua 4g
Moto E 2nd Gen
LG Spirit 4g
LG G4 Stylus
Samsung Galaxy Core Prime
Samsung Galaxy J5, J7,
Samsung Galaxy On 5, On 7
2 GB RAM models
Lenovo K5 (6,999)
Lenovo K5 Plus (8,499)
Karbon Aura
Micromax Canvas Amaze
Redmi 3s (Rs 6,999)
TCL 560 (7,999)
Micromax Canvas Sliver 5 (8,100)
3 GB RAM models
Coolpad Mega 2.5 D (Rs 6,999)
Redmi 3s Prime (Rs 8,999)
MID RANGE
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (9,999-11,999)
LeEco Le 2 (11,999)
Meizu M3 Note (9,999)
Yu Yunicorn (13,499)
Lenovo K5 Note (11,999)
TCL 562 (10,990)
LG G3
Moto G 3rd Gen
Samsung Galaxy A5, A7, A5 (2016), A7 (2016), A8
ZTE Blade S6, S6+
Oppo F1 (16k)
Yureka Plus
Lumia 550
HIGH END
Yu Yunique
Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+
Samsung Galaxy Note 4, 5, Edge
Sony Z5, Z5 Premium
LG Nexus 5X
iPhone 6 Plus, 6S Plus
LG G4
Lumia 950, XL
Moto X Force
Photos of some of Jio’s own affordable (Rs 10,000 range) LYF braded phones based on Snapdragon 410 chipset are given below. They will be available in the first half of February.
The costlier phones — Rs 14,500 and upwards — will be based on Snapdragon 615 and come with 75 GB of free data valid for 3 months, while the cheaper ones, based on SD415, will come with 50 GB of free data.
Here’s a list of phones that work on ‘Data Only’ mode on Reliance Jio’s network. The list is from Jio’s mobile app.
ACER
1 Acer Liquid Z530 LTE Alcate Pride T500LLTE Asus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE550KL LTE
ASUS
Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML (16 go) LTE DataOnly Asus Zenfone Max (ZC550KL) LTE DataOnly Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 5.0 ZE500KL LTE Asus Zenfone 2 ZE550MLLTE Asus Zenfone Selfie LTE Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE601KL LTE 10 Asus Zenfone Zoom LTE
BLACKBERRY
BlackBerry Classic Q20 LTE DataOnly 12 Blackberry Passport LTE 13 BlackBerry Porsche P9982 LTE 14 BlackBerry Porsche P9983 LTE DataOnly 15 BlackBerry Leap LTE
COOLPAD
Coolpad Note 3 Lite LTE
GIONEE
GIONEE F103 LTE 18 GIONEE S Plus LTE 19 GIONEE Marathon M4 LTE 20 GIONEE Elife S7 LTE 21 GIONEE CTRL V6L LTE LTE 22 GIONEE Marathon M5 LTE 23 GIONEE Elife E8 LTE 24 GIONEE M5 Plus LTE 25 GIONEE P5L LTE 26 GIONEE Marathon M5 Plus LTE 27 GIONEE S8 LTE
HTC
HTC Desire 820 LTE 29 HTC Desire 820S Dual Sim LTE DataOnly 30 HTC Desire 828 DS LTE DataOnly 31 HTC Desire 8200 LTE 32 HTC One M8 Eye LTE 33 HTC Desire 728 Dual SIM LTE 34 HTC One M8 LTE 35 HTC One E9+ Dual Sim LTE 36 HTC One M9 Plus LTE 37 HTC One A9 LTE 38 HTC One ME Dual Sim LTE 39 HTC Desire 626 dual Sim LTE DataOnly 40 HTC Desire Eye LTE 41 HTC Desire 626 LTE
HUAWEI
Huawei Honor 4x LTE 43 Huawei Honor 6LTE 44 Huawei Nexus 6P(64GB) LTE 45 Huawei Nexus 6P(32 GB) LTE 46 Huawei Honor 5x LTE 47 Huawei Honor 7 LTE 48 Huawei Honor 6 Plus LTE 49 Huawei Honor 7i LITE
IBERRY
Iberry Auxus Stunner LTE
INFOCUS
Infocus M530 LTE
MICROMAX
Micromax Canvas Mega 4G (Q417) LTE 106 Micromax Pulse 4G E451 LTE 107 Micromax JUICE 4G (Q461) LTE Data Only 108 Micromax Yu Yutopia(YU5050) LTE 109 Micromax Yu Note (YU6000) LTE 110 Micromax Yureka 3 (YU5200)Caster LTE 111 Micromax Yureka S (YU5520) LTE
MICROSOFT
Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM LTE 113 Microsoft Lumia 640XL LTE Dual Sim LTE 114 Microsoft Lumia950XL Dual SIM LTE
MOTOROLA
Motorola New Moto X (Moto X Play) – Moto X Play DualSIM LTE 116 Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) LTE 117 Motorola Moto G (2nd Gen) LTE 118 Motorola Moto X Style LTE 119 Motorola Moto Turbo LTE 120 Motorola Moto X Force LTE
ONEPLUS
Oneplus 2 LTE 122 Oneplus X LTE
OPPO
OPPO Neo’s LTE DataOnly 124 OPPO R7 Lite LTE 125 OPPO R7 Plus LTE 126 OPPO R5 LTE 127 OPPON3 (N2506) LTE 128 OPPO R5s LTE
PANASONIC
Panasonic Eluga Icon LTE 130 Panasonic Eluga 12 LTE 131 Panasonic Eluga L2 LTE 132 Panasonic T45 LTE 133 Panasonic Mark LTE 134 Panasonic Switch LTE 135 Panasonic Eluga Turbo LTE 136 Panasonic Eluga Arc LTE 137 Panasonic Eluga Icon 2 LTE 138 Panasonic Eluga 13 LTE
SONU
SONY Xperia M4Aqua Dual (E2363) LTE 143 SONY Xperia C4Dual(E5363) LTE 144 SONYXperia C5 Ultra (E5563) LTE 145 SONYXperia Z3(D6653) LTE 146 SONY E4g Dual(E2043) LTE 147 SONY Xperia M5 Dual (E5663) LTE 148 SONY Xperia M5 (E5663) LTE 149 SONY Xperia Z3 Plus(E6553) LTE 150 SONY Xperia Z1 Compact(D5503) LTE 151 SONY Xperia Z3 Compact(D5833) LTE