WhatsApp calling has finally arrived. WhatsApp users will need to update to version 2.12.5 (or above) from Google Play. If the update is not available directly from Google Play, users can get the latest version from here. The calling feature will automatically get activated after updating the app. Both caller and receiver has to update to the latest version to use the calling feature.

WhatsApp calling allow users to call other WhatsApp users for free. However, a minute of WhatsApp call costs around 0.15 MB to 0.20 MB of 3G data This means a 5-minute call costs around 1MB of 3G data. The call quality on 3G networks is decent but on 2G, there is a considerable amount of lag. Also, on 2G, a minute of WhatsApp call costs around 0.35MB which is surprisingly higher than 3G.

Without mobile internet plans, the standard data rates for most operators are 4p /10 KB (3G) and 10p / 10 KB (2G). This roughly translates to Re 1 per minute of WhatsApp call on 3G and Rs 2.50 per minute on 2G network.

The new WhatsApp calling interface is similar to the regular call UI in Android smartphones. Call records are automatically saved. During a WhatsApp call, if the user gets a regular call on his smartphone, then the WhatsApp call runs in background for a few seconds and gets disconnected on its own.

The calling feature will arrive for iOS and Windows Phone later.