Google launches a Rs 500 JioPhone competitor called WizPhone WP006

Looks like Google is now getting into the feature phone market. Or rather the market for a feature phone but with some smart functionality. The company has launched a new phone, which has a rather weird name, called the WizPhone WP006. This new Google phone looks like a feature phone, similar to how JioPhone looks, but comes with 7KaiOS and some smart functionality including Google Assistant that can be given voice commands.

Now, if you think that the WizPhone WP006 is too similar to the JioPhone, you are right. It does look like, and probably works like, the JioPhone. It is powered by the same KaiOS that also powers the JioPhone and the JioPhone 2. And just like the JioPhone, the WizPhone WP006 also supports apps like WhatsApp that have been made specifically for KaiOS.

For now, Google has launched the WizPhone WP006 only in Indonesia. But it surely looks like a pretty big deal because one of the senior Google executives, Scott Huffman, launched the phone at the company’s GoogleForIndonesia event. The WizPhone WP006 has been priced at IDR 99,000, which roughly translates to around Rs 490 in Indian currency. In other words, the WizPhone WP006 is a $7 phone.

The WizPhone WP006 is a feature phone but with some smart functionality built into it. Just like the JioPhone, the WizPhone WP006 supports 4G connectivity. it also comes with special version of WhatsApp installed on it, and its users will be able to summon Google Assistant on WizPhone WP006 with voice commands.