The S4 Mini with LTE support is priced at Rs. 17,760, which is slightly expensive than the current non-LTE version of the device.
Samsung is reportedly testing a smartphone with LTE support in India. Reports suggest the new smartphone with LTE support is not a new product but a 4G variant of the already available Samsung Galaxy 4 Mini.
According to an import document posted by maktechblog, Samsung has imported around 500 units of GT-I9197 and GT-I9197ZKAOPS. This model number is of Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini LTE smartphone. It supports TD-LTE, the same protocol India uses for LTE.
The S4 Mini with LTE support is priced at Rs. 17,760, which is slightly expensive than the current S4 Mini, which is available online for around Rs. 16,798.
“Samsung has import 500 units of Galaxy S4 mini for Sales and Testing purpose. This clearly shows that Samsung is testing units for sales purpose. Samsung after testing it thoroughly will launch in India. The import price is around Rs. 17,760. The Galaxy S4 mini is currently retailing in India for Rs. 16,800, so it may priced higher than normal 3G version,” says the maktechblog report.
The latest information comes months after Samsung confirmed plans to launch affordable 4G phones in India. "The landscape we see is TDD LTE on 2300 MHz band, 3G on 2100 MHz and 900 MHz bands and FDD LTE on 1800 MHz band. Now that we know this will happen, we can start looking at road maps that take this into account," Vineet Taneja, Samsung India's IT and mobiles division head, is quoted as saying on the sidelines of e launch of Samsung's Galaxy S5 smartphone.
"Before the operators are ready, we will be ready with the road map and products for the market," he said.
So far, 4G hasn't gone mainstream in India, though it has been sporadically launched in the country. Airtel is the only service provider to offer 4G currently. Reliance Jio, which owns pan India 4G licence, is expected to turn things around.
Currently, a very few devices – including iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and Xolo LT900 – support 4G networks in India. Samsung is the leading smartphone brand in India. If the company launches 4G smartphone, there are high chances others will follow suit too. Also read: 4G in India: Challenges and opportunities
Source: Maktechblog
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