Mi-Fone Enters India; Launches New Phones

Mi-Fone, Africa's fastest growing mobile phone manufacturer, has entered the Indian market with the launch of a plethora of new phones. Currently available in 15 countries across Africa, Mi-Fone is just into its second year of operations - and already a popular player in the continent. The phones are being launched in India after a yearlong process of setting up a distribution channel across the country.

The newly launched handsets include three from the Mi Q range [Mi-Q (voice/SMS), Mi-Q1 GPRS with camera, Dual SIM card and the Mi-Q5S]. The other phones to be launched are the Mi 323, Mi 338, Mi 2010 and the Mi 350a.

Mi-Q

The Mi-323 is a low-end handset that boats of a 1.8-inch, TFT display with a decent resolution of 128*160. It weighs just 88 grams and is a dual SIM phone well. It supports Bluetooth and GPRS for data transfer. The device also has a full-fledged music player. Music and multimedia files can be stored on the external memory card that this phone supports. There is a "just usable" VGA camera at the rear of the device. The MiFone 323 is priced at Rs. 3,990.Mi338

Next, we have the Mi-338. This phone is a dual SIM, touchscreen device that boats of features like a 2.4-inch, TFT screen capable of QVGA resolutions. The phone weighs in at 100grams and packs in an 800Mah battery, which offers a 3-hour talktime and a 200-hour standby time. For data, there is Bluetooth, USB and GPRS. It has a VGA camera at the rear and also gives the users an option to add an analogue TV receiver. The Mi338 has been priced at Rs. 6,990.Mi-2010
Next in line is the Mi-2010, which is a low-end device from the company. Even this is a dual SIM handset and is a symbol celebrating African sports. It comes with a basic camera at the rear of the device. The Mi-2010 will cost just Rs. 2,999.


Mi350a

Lastly, it's the turn of the Mi-350a - which comes with an external antenna that increases signal reception - a highlight of the phone. Another unique aspect of the phone is the presence of not one, but TWO batteries on the phone with both working separately and thereby ending up giving you a continuous source of power. The two batteries give it a phenomenal 200Mah rating and thereby, the device has a talkltime of 10 hours and 720 hours of standby time. The Mi350a will set you back by Rs. 3,999.

With the Indian mobile phone industry witnessing increasing number of entrants recently, we wonder if these new companies will be able to grab a bite of the huge handset industry pie.