Reasons Why You Should and Should Not Go for Freedom 251

Freedom 251 is the world’s cheapest Android smartphone. Launched at an event in India yesterday, this 3G enabled smartphone comes with a 4-inch IPS LCD (IPS!) display, a quad-core processor, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, 3.2 MP camera on the back and a 2 MP camera on the front. Apart from that, you also get dual SIM support with 3G HSPA+ compatibility.

All of that for just Rs. 251. That is about $3.7 for an Android smartphone. Let alone a smartphone, you don’t get a proper dumb phone for Rs. 251. Ringing Bells, the company behind this phone, has promised to deliver all orders before 30th June. According to the information available on the website,  Ringing Bells is not taking orders temporarily, with a promise to be back in the next 24 hours.

Why You Should Go for Freedom 251

While it does sound too good to be true, we think there are a few reasons to go for the Freedom 251. Humour us.

• It’s just Rs. 251. No seriously, it’s worth a try at least.
• It can work as a good burner phone.
• Give it to your household help. I always wanted a really basic Nokia phone with barebones Android on top. While that may not have happened, here’s your chance to get an ultra-cheap Android smartphone that you can go around donating to people who need a phone.
• It’s a hilarious attempt at ripping off the iPhone.

Why You Should Not Go For Freedom 251

It’s a bit difficult to process it all – you get a 4-inch display, 1 GB RAM, a quad-core processor and 3G Dual SIM support at a price of just Rs. 251. An average lunch for a single person costs around Rs. 200 these days, so it is kind of befuddling to see a smartphone selling at such a low price. So, what’s the catch?

• The website is sketchy.
• What is the business model? According to different reports, the Freedom 251 may have cost around Rs. 2,500 to be built. Even after we ignore all costs associated with selling a smartphone, Ringing Bells is selling the Freedom 251 at just 10% of its cost. No, not at 10% margin – 10% of the cost price. In other words, you are being offered a 90% discount. How does Ringing Bells imagine to survive after such a ridiculous discount?
• It is actually the Adcom Ikon 4. The company sent units of the Freedom 251 to some journalists with the Adcom branding plastered over the front of the phone. They tried to cover the branding with a whitener. No seriously!