Reliance Jio has overhauled its prepaid line‑up for feature phone users, introducing a new category called “4G Feature Phone Plans”. The move comes after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) flagged concerns about device‑specific plans and a lack of transparency in tariff structures. In response, Jio has restructured and rebranded its offerings to make them more uniform and user‑friendly, especially for JioPhone and similar keypad devices.
At the same time, the company has discontinued older JioPhone‑specific plans and renamed earlier JioBharat packs under the new 4G‑feature‑phone umbrella.
What is a “4G feature phone” plan?
Jio now defines a 4G feature phone as any keypad phone that supports 4G LTE‑VoLTE on its network. This category includes the latest JioBharat and JioPhone models.
By creating a separate 4G feature phone plan segment, Jio simplifies tariffs and makes them easier to understand, while still catering to the low‑cost, limited‑data needs of feature‑phone users.
New 4G Feature Phone core plans (voice + data)
Under the revised line‑up, the base plan starts at ₹123, effectively replacing the earlier entry‑level Rs 91 scheme for new users. Here’s how the main packs look:
- ₹123 – 28‑day pack
- Unlimited voice calls (national)
- 0.5 GB data per day (total ~14 GB over 28 days)
- 300 SMS
- 28‑day validity
- ₹234 – 56‑day pack
- Same benefits as ₹123, but validity extended to 56 days.
- Effectively halves the daily cost while offering the same 0.5 GB/day data.
- ₹369 – 84‑day pack
- Same core benefits, validity pushed to 84 days.
- Gives ~42 GB of high‑speed data (still 0.5 GB/day), plus 300 SMS and unlimited calls.
- ₹1,234 – 336‑day (annual‑style) pack
- Valid for 336 days (almost 11 months).
- 0.5 GB data per day (around 168 GB total).
- Unlimited calls and 300 SMS per 28‑day cycle.
These plans are ideal for users who rely mostly on calling and basic mobile data for apps like WhatsApp, social media, or YouTube on a 4G feature phone.
Data add‑on packs for 4G feature phones
For users who need extra data without upgrading their main plan, Jio has introduced a set of data add‑on packs with 28‑day validity:
- ₹26 add‑on – 2 GB data
- ₹62 add‑on – 6 GB data
- ₹86 add‑on – 0.5 GB data per day (14 GB total)
- ₹122 add‑on – 1 GB data per day (28 GB total)
- ₹182 add‑on – 2 GB data per day (56 GB total)
These can be combined with the core ₹123, ₹234, ₹369, and ₹1,234 plans to stretch data usage when needed.
The new ₹21 onboarding plan
One of the most notable changes is the ₹21 4G feature phone plan, available only for users purchasing a new 4G feature phone (such as JioBharat or JioPhone):
- Benefits:
- Unlimited voice calls
- 0.5 GB data per day
- 15 SMS
- Validity: Just 4 days
This is clearly designed as a short‑term or trial plan for first‑time buyers, helping them get started on the 4G network before moving to a regular pack like ₹123.
Old plans scrapped and pricing shift
As part of the overhaul:
- Earlier JioPhone‑specific plans (such as the popular ₹91 pack) have been discontinued or restricted to legacy users only.
- Device‑exclusive offerings are being phased out in favour of 4G feature phone plans that work on any eligible keypad device.
This means the effective entry point for regular usage on Jio’s feature‑phone stacks is now ₹123 per 28 days, instead of ₹91.
Why this update matters for users
- Simpler, more transparent pricing: Removing overlapping device‑specific labels and grouping features under the 4G Feature Phone tag makes plans easier to compare.
- Long‑term value: Higher‑value packs like ₹369 and ₹1,234 give better per‑day rates for users who don’t want to recharge every month.
- Clarity for resellers and customers: With fewer “hidden” or device‑locked packs, dealers and users can choose the right plan without confusion.
Conclusion
Jio’s 4G feature phone plan revamp simplifies the tariff structure while nudging the entry price up to ₹123 for new users. The new ₹21 starter pack, refreshed core plans (₹123 to ₹1,234), and multiple data add‑ons give feature‑phone users a clear, flexible way to manage calls and data. For regular users on budget keypad phones, this update offers a cleaner, more predictable prepaid experience on India’s 4G network.
