PhonePe has recently launched its latest SmartSpeaker, a device designed specifically to enhance the digital payment experience for offline merchants across India. Proudly manufactured in India, this new SmartSpeaker comes with advanced features such as 4G network support and significantly improved battery life, reinforcing PhonePe’s commitment to empowering local businesses and promoting indigenous technology.
What’s New in PhonePe’s SmartSpeaker?
The upgraded SmartSpeaker brings several key improvements over its predecessor, making it more efficient and merchant-friendly:
- 4G Network Support: Unlike the earlier version that operated on 2G, this new SmartSpeaker supports 4G connectivity. This upgrade ensures faster and more stable internet access, allowing merchants to receive instant payment confirmations even in areas with inconsistent network coverage.
- Longer Battery Life: The device now offers an extended battery backup, capable of lasting over seven days on a single charge. Additionally, it supports rapid charging, reaching full capacity in just around 75 minutes. This feature is particularly useful for merchants who rely on the device throughout their business hours without frequent recharging.
- Clear Audio Alerts: Designed to function well in bustling market environments, the SmartSpeaker delivers crisp and audible payment notifications. This helps merchants stay updated on transactions without needing to check their smartphones constantly.
- Multilingual and Celebrity Voice Options: The SmartSpeaker supports 21 different Indian languages, catering to the diverse linguistic landscape of the country. An innovative feature allows payment confirmations to be announced in the voices of famous Indian personalities, such as Amitabh Bachchan, adding a fun and personalized touch to the payment experience.
- Compact and Practical Design: Its small and sleek design makes it easy to place on crowded counters, ensuring it fits seamlessly into the workspace of merchants without causing clutter.
Driving Financial Inclusion and Supporting Local Innovation
PhonePe’s Chief Business Officer for Merchant Business, Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat, highlighted that manufacturing the SmartSpeaker domestically enables the company to customize the device to meet the specific needs of Indian merchants. This initiative is part of PhonePe’s larger mission to boost financial inclusion by equipping offline merchants, especially in remote and underserved regions, with reliable and user-friendly digital payment tools.
By focusing on local manufacturing and innovation, PhonePe not only supports India’s ‘Make in India’ vision but also strengthens the country’s digital economy by making digital payments accessible to a broader audience.
How Much Does the PhonePe SmartSpeaker Cost?
PhonePe offers flexible pricing options for merchants interested in using the SmartSpeaker, designed to suit different business needs:
- Monthly Subscription Plan: Merchants pay an initial setup fee of ₹318. After that, a monthly subscription charge of ₹125 is automatically deducted every 30 days from the merchant’s payment settlements. This plan is ideal for those who prefer lower upfront costs and predictable monthly payments.
- Zero Rental Plan: This option requires a higher one-time setup fee of ₹999 (including GST) but comes with a significantly reduced monthly service fee of ₹25. The monthly fee continues until the merchant decides to cancel the subscription. This plan suits merchants who want to minimize recurring charges over time.
These pricing models allow merchants to choose the best fit based on their cash flow and business preferences, making the SmartSpeaker accessible and affordable for a wide range of users.
About PhonePe’s SmartSpeaker Journey
PhonePe initially launched its SmartSpeaker in 2022 to help offline merchants receive instant audio payment confirmations, simplifying the digital payment process. Since then, the device has facilitated over 100 crore transactions across more than 19,000 postal codes, covering over 90% of India’s geography. The new ‘Made in India’ SmartSpeaker builds upon this success with enhanced connectivity, extended battery life, and a more engaging user experience.
