TRAI’s probe, which began in August 2025 after consumer complaints about the disappearance of entry-level prepaid plans, found that several of Jio’s Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) were restricted to specific channels. The Rs 249 and Rs 199 plans were accessible only through Jio retail stores, while the Rs 209 plan was available exclusively via the MyJio mobile application. The regulator flagged this selective availability as a violation of existing transparency norms that require telecom operators to publish all tariff plans on their websites and make them accessible across all recharge platforms.

Two Key Directives for Jio

TRAI has issued two binding directives: first, that Jio must ensure uniform publication of all active tariff plans across every customer-facing platform, including its website, retail stores, and third-party recharge applications; second, that the company must remove device-specific restrictions on select recharge offerings. These requirements aim to ensure that no subscriber is forced to use a particular channel or device to access a plan that should be universally available.

The order represents one of TRAI’s most assertive interventions in telecom pricing since the sector’s tariff war phase subsided. It is also significant in the context of TRAI’s broader regulatory agenda, which has included pushing tech and telecom companies toward greater consumer protection. The regulator had earlier pushed operators on 5G expansion timelines, directing Jio and Airtel to accelerate rural 5G coverage ahead of the 2027 target.

Industry Context: BSNL Expansion and Tariff Transparency

The order comes at a critical moment for India’s telecom industry. State-run BSNL is continuing its aggressive 4G network expansion, with over 97,000 mobile towers now operational under a TCS-led consortium and orders placed for an additional 30,000 sites. BSNL’s CMD A. Robert J Ravi has said the company will consolidate its 4G infrastructure before evaluating 5G options, using AI tools to optimise network planning. Private operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel together have deployed more than five lakh 5G base transceiver stations over the past three years.

For consumers, the TRAI order could have immediate practical benefits. India’s digital payments infrastructure — with UPI processing over 800 million daily transactions — means that recharges increasingly happen through third-party apps rather than operator stores. Restricting plans to specific channels disproportionately affected rural and lower-income users who may not have access to Jio retail outlets or the latest version of the MyJio app. The order also has implications for how smartphone users browse plans, particularly as flagship smartphones in 2026 increasingly come with built-in recharge integrations.

What Happens Next

Jio has until 14 April to comply with TRAI’s directives. Industry observers will watch closely to see whether the company makes material changes to its tariff publication practices or challenges the order through legal channels. The outcome could set a precedent for how telecom pricing transparency is enforced in a market where three private operators — Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea — serve over 1.1 billion mobile connections.

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The launch comes at a time when India’s smartphone market is seeing renewed growth, with the premium segment (above Rs 30,000) posting a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in Q1 2026 according to Counterpoint Research. OnePlus, which first disrupted this space with the original Nord in 2020, is doubling down on cutting-edge technology to reclaim share from Samsung and Xiaomi in this crucial price band.

Key Specifications and Design

The OnePlus Nord 6 is built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, which the company claims enables sustained 165 fps gaming performance in titles like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Free Fire MAX. The chipset, fabricated on TSMC’s 4nm process, offers a significant leap over the Dimensity 8200 found in last year’s Nord 5.

The handset features a triple-camera setup led by a 50 MP primary sensor, housed within a slightly raised rectangular camera module on the top left of the flat back panel. The display measures 6.7 inches with a 120 Hz AMOLED panel.

Perhaps the standout specification is the 9,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery — one of the largest ever in this price segment. Combined with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging and bypass charging support, OnePlus promises a full day’s heavy usage on a single charge. The phone will be available in Fresh Mint, Holographic Quick Silver, and Pitch Black colourways.

Pricing, Availability, and How It Compares

The OnePlus Nord 6 will be positioned between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000, making it slightly pricier than its predecessor, the Nord 5, which launched at Rs 29,999. The device will be sold exclusively through Amazon India and official OnePlus channels.

This positions the Nord 6 against Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE and the recently reviewed best smartphones of March 2026 list, which highlighted the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and OnePlus 14 as the flagship leaders. The Nord 6 essentially brings near-flagship performance to the mid-range, a strategy OnePlus pioneered but has faced stiff competition executing.

Industry analyst Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint told Gadgets 360 that the Nord 6 “could be the most compelling mid-range device of 2026” given its battery and chipset combination, though the camera system will be the deciding factor against Samsung’s computational photography advantages.

India’s Evolving Smartphone Landscape

The Indian smartphone market shipped 155 million units in 2025, with the online channel accounting for nearly 52 per cent of all sales. OnePlus has consistently ranked among the top three brands in the Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 segment, and the Nord series has been central to that performance.

With India’s 5G network expanding rapidly under TRAI’s push for nationwide coverage, consumer demand for high-performance, 5G-ready devices in this price band is growing sharply. OnePlus has also integrated several AI-powered features into the Nord 6, including smart call summarisation, an upgraded AI photo editor, and predictive battery management.

Pre-registrations for the Nord 6 have already crossed 500,000 on Amazon India, according to the company — a figure that underscores the pent-up demand in this category. Buyers who pre-order the 256 GB variant during launch week can expect a complimentary upgrade to 512 GB storage, mirroring a promotion Samsung used during the Galaxy S26 series launch earlier this year.

What to Watch For

The 7 April event will also reveal the full pricing structure, potential bundled offers with Jio and Airtel, and the company’s trade-in programme details. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has hinted at “surprises” for the Indian market, fuelling speculation about a possible Nord 6 Pro variant later in Q2.

For consumers in the Rs 35,000 bracket, the OnePlus Nord 6 appears to set a new benchmark — particularly on battery life and raw performance. Whether it can match Samsung and Google Pixel on camera quality will become clearer once full reviews land after 7 April.

Source: Gadgets360

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