Wire · technology
PhonePe brings UPI to feature phones: How users can make payments without internet
◆ Sectors
Fintech
◆ Geography
India
◆ Source
◆ Verified
Fusion42 · 1 September 2026 · Fusion42 review
PhonePe launched UPI 123Pay, enabling feature phone users in India to make UPI payments without internet via SMS, supporting P2P and merchant payments with plans to add bill payments and Aadhaar onboarding.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Fintech, and 14 sources have reported it.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
PhonePe’s SMS-based UPI service opens digital payments to non-smartphone users, forcing fintech founders to rethink market reach and product design beyond internet-dependent apps.
◆ Coverage
14 sources · 31 Aug 2026
◆ Topics
Fintechupifeature-phonesdigital-paymentsfinancial-inclusionphonepe