Walmart backed digital payments entity PhonePe has introduced an upgraded version of its SmartSpeaker, a device designed to facilitate payment voice notifications for merchants.  

The latest iteration of the SmartSpeaker is manufactured in India and retains the voice notification feature of the original model, which was introduced in 2022. 

The device supports 21 language options and includes a celebrity voice feature. 

 It aims to streamline payment transactions for offline merchants by providing “real-time” audio alerts for successful payments, thereby reducing the need to check for confirmations via SMS or app notifications. 

The new SmartSpeaker features enhancements in connectivity as it uses a 4G network to offer “faster” speeds and “reliable” network performance.  

It also offers power efficiency with a full charge time of approximately 75 minutes and a standby period that exceeds seven days. 

Speaking on the launch, PhonePe merchant business chief business officer Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat stated: “We are excited to introduce our next-generation SmartSpeakers, which are Made in India. Manufacturing these devices locally allows greater flexibility in adapting products to the specific needs and preferences of our merchants.  

“With these SmartSpeakers, we are not only driving financial inclusion for merchants nationwide, especially in underserved areas, but also fostering domestic innovation and ensuring that Indian manufacturers become integral participants in the country’s digital transformation.”   

PhonePe launched its digital payments’ app in August 2016 and has over 600 million registered users and a network of more than 40 million merchants as of March 2025. 

Last month, the company introduced the UPI Circle feature on its app, enabling users to make payments to family members, friends, or other trusted individuals within a designated group.