Low-Cost Smartphones: Airtel, Celkon Debut 4G Smartphone for INR 1249

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s largest telecommunications services provider, and Celkon, an Indian manufacturer of mobile devices, will offer the popular Star 4G+ Smartphone to customers at an effective price of just INR 1249 under Airtel’s ‘Mera Pehla Smartphone’ initiative.

This is the second device from Celkon under the partnership and the most affordable in the range offered by Airtel and its partners.

As part of its ‘Mera Pehla Smartphone’ initiative, Airtel plans to collaborate with multiple device manufacturers to bring smartphones to the market at the price of a feature phone.

‘Celkon Star 4G +’ (which has a current market price of appx. Rs 2999) is a 4 inch touch screen 4G smartphone with dual camera, dual SIM slots and FM radio. The Android powered 4G smartphone offers full access to all apps on Google Play Store, including YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp. The 4G smartphone comes preloaded with MyAirtel App, Wynk Music and Airtel TV to add to the online experience of customers.

Venkatesh Vijayaraghavan, CEO – AP and Telangana, Bharti Airtel said “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Celkon. We view this collaboration as an opportunity to offer customers innovative solutions that combine the experience of India’s best smartphone network with the affordability and flexibility of the mobile platform offered by Celkon. We hope to deliver great value to consumers and help them fulfil their dream of owning a smartphone and enjoying the internet.”

"After receiving tremendous response to Smart 4G in collaboration with Bharti Airtel, we are happy to offer Celkon Star 4G+, which is bound to appeal to all segments, with value for money specifications and stylish looks. We look forward to another success story in association with Airtel, reaching out to the masses with the best phone offered at a competitive price." said Y Guru, Chairman and Managing Director, Celkon.

To avail of this offer, a customer needs to make a down payment of Rs 2749 for the 4G smartphone and make 36 continuous monthly recharges of Rs 169. The customer will get a cash refund of Rs 500 after 18 months and another Rs 1000 after 36 months, taking the total cash benefit to Rs 1500.

In case the customer does not wish to opt for the Rs 169 bundled plan, she/he has the flexibility of doing recharges of any denomination and validity as per individual requirements. However, to claim the cash refund benefit, recharges worth Rs 3000 must be done within the first 18 months (to claim the first cash back of Rs 500) and another Rs 3000 over the next 18 months (to claim the second cash back of Rs 1000).

The ownership of the 4G smartphone is completely with the customer and there is no need to return the device to Airtel/Celkon at any point to claim the cash benefit.

‘Celkon Star 4G+’ is available at all leading mobile stores. Customer can purchase the smartphone from any of these stores and get the prepaid recharge done from any Airtel retailer. After sales support for the device will be provided by Celkon through their service network.

Features/Specs of Airtel Celkon 4G Smartphone

Star 4G+ comes in four vibrant colors; Gold, Champagne, Dark Blue and Black

Airtel offers 4G/3G/2G services across all 22 telecom circles of India. Its network covers over 95% of India’s population and is supported by a deep distribution network.