Android One launched; Google enters the low-cost smartphone game

Google launched its much-awaited sub-$100 Android One smartphones on Monday. In India, they would be available through domestic cellphone makers Micromax, Karbonn and Spice. Prices for the Android One would start from ₹ 6,399.

Google launched their much-awaited sub-$100 Android One smartphones on Monday, and in India would be available through domestic cellphone makers Micromax, Karbonn and Spice. Prices for the Android One would start from ₹ 6,399.

Looking to penetrate further into the mobile market in developing nations, the Google plans to roll out the Android One in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka in the coming months. The Android One would also be available on other platforms, including Acer, Xolo, HTC and Lenovo.

The Android One dual-sim smartphone would sport a 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek processor, 1 GB RAM, 4.5-inch screen, and a 5 MP rear camera. Though the internal storage is just 4 GB, it can be expanded up to 32 GB. It would be available for purchase on major online shopping portals, and can be bought in retails stores from early October.

Micromax will sell its Android One powered Canvas A1 on Amazon, Spice would sell Dream UNO on Flipkart and the Karbon Sparkle V would be available on Snapdeal. The Android One will face fierce competition in the under-₹10,000 smartphone market in India.

Online shopping portals are going all out to lure customers to buy the Android One. A host of gift vouchers aside, Snapdeal, Amazon and Flipkart are also throwing in an 8 GB memory card. Meanwhile, Airtel has partnered with Google to provide 100 MB/200 MB of data per month for 6 months for software updates and app downloads so users can stay updated with the latest version of Android.