Android One Specs, Price Details: Google To Invade US Market With Its Most Affordable Smartphones
Android One was originally launched by Google as an initiative to bring low-cost smartphones to the developing world. Now, Google reportedly is aiming to invade the US market for its Android brand after targeting developing markets such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and other South Asian countries.
It apparently all started with India and then expanded to other Pacific countries. The devices launched featured 4GB of storage and 1GB of RAM, plus a microSD card slot up to 32GB. Other features include 1.3 GHz MediaTek quad-core processors, 4.5-inch screens, 854 x 480 pixel displays, 5MP rear cameras, 2MP front cameras, and 1700mAh batteries.
The phone would be unlike other Android phones, at least in terms of software updates. It is said that Google, the web search giant, guarantees it would roll out timely software updates, as well as security updates, for two years from the time the devices go on sale. Apparently, this is the practice Google follows even with its Nexus editions and its new Pixel phones.
Accordingly, there is no idea on how many handsets are planned to be distributed, but Google probably will fund an ad campaign when the Android One phone launches in the middle of this year. Reports suggests that the phone is likely to be priced around $200-$300.
Probably the primary reason for the company to expand its Android One devices in the US is to promote its Android brand considering that Google's high-end Pixel and Nexus devices are at the top of consumers' priority list. A report also suggests LG could be its first manufacturing partner. Once the first phone is out, Google is likely to add more Android One phones from other manufacturers.
Unveiled at its 7th annual I/O developer conference in San Francisco, Google rolled out the Android One handsets with high-quality performance, affordable price tags and reasonable data plans in emergent markets.