Google reveals low cost Android One Phones

As promised Google in I/O 2014, launched its first set of Android One phone in Indian Market. Earlier this year Google said about its partnering with three of the Indian Mobile company Spice, Karbonn and Micromax. All three brands are doing well in the Low-cost smartphone segment. Each company has come up with one phone with the specification set by Google for optimum performance.

Under the Android One programme Google partners with local phone makers to keep the cost of production less and affordable yet feature-packed Android phones. Google essentially provides hardware reference boards and software support to partner vendors under the programme.
With Android One Google aim was to make android available to masses.

All the three Smartphones cost under Rs 7000 ($120). The first three phones to be launched are the Karbon Sparkle V, Micromax Canvas A1, and Spice Dream UNO. The Dream UNO is the cheapest at INR6,299 ($103), while the Sparkle V costs INR6,399 ($105) and the Canvas A1 costs INR6,499 ($106).

All three have a 4.5-inch, 854x480 resolution IPS display, MediaTek MT6582 SoC with 1.3GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU and Mali 400 MP2 GPU, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage space with microSD card slot, 5 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, FM radio, dual SIM support, and replaceable 1,700mAh battery. The only differences will be in the design and minor software enhancements.

The best thing about these phones is that they all run stock version of Android, 4.4.4 KitKat in this case. The phones will get OS updates directly from Google for two years since launch. These phones will also be first in line with the Nexus devices to get Android L, or any future release.

Another interesting feature is that Android One users will be able to download and watch YouTube videos offline, something not yet available on any Android device. They will also get one year free subscription to content on Google Play Newsstand. Apart from this, the individual online stores selling these phones also have additional offers available, including financing options, discounts on accessories, and free memory card.

India is just the first country to receive Android One. Google will be bringing Android One devices to other countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines and South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) by the end of the year, with more countries to follow in 2015.

There will also be other Android OEMs, who will be joining Micromax, Karbonn, and Spice later. These include Acer, Alcatel Onetouch, ASUS, HTC, Intex, Lava, Lenovo, Panasonic, Xolo, and Qualcomm.

But In low cost market already has some competitors for Android One. Phone like Motorola’s Moto E cost Rs 6,999, Micromax Unite 2 roughly same price and recently launched Xiaomi Redmi 1S which has a superior specification then Android One Devices. With competitions like these Google and brands under Android One programme will have to market their devices carefully.