Finnish phone manufacturer HMD Global has introduced its Vibe 2 5G smartphone, which comes preinstalled with Indus, a chatbot developed by Indian AI startup Sarvam.

Announced earlier at the India AI Summit in February, the Indus app uses a 105-billion-parameter model designed to support 22 Indic languages and allows mid-sentence code-switching between languages like Hindi and English.Currently, the app requires an internet connection and does not have a dedicated shortcut for activation on the device.HMD aims to use this partnership as a way to gauge the demand for India-focused AI assistants.The Vibe 2 5G is a mid-range Android device with a 6,000mAh battery priced at ₹10,999 ($114).

Future plans include integrating the chatbot into other Vibe series smartphones and an upcoming feature phone, which could expand Sarvam’s AI reach more effectively.Despite limited downloads—around 293,000 in India versus 43.

9 million for ChatGPT—the strategy focuses on bundling affordable hardware with a regional AI assistant to overcome language barriers and increase adoption in India.Sarvam has also been focusing on enterprise solutions and is expected to raise $300 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, positioning it as one of the country’s leading AI startups.This partnership highlights the growing trend of local AI tools being paired with hardware to expand accessibility in emerging markets.