Xiaomi Mi A2 to Nokia 6.1 Plus: Top 5 Android One phones in India

A bunch of Android One smartphones have been launched in India recently. Here’s all you need to know about Google’s Android One programme and the top phones running on this platform.

Xiaomi Mi A2 is the company’s second Android One smartphone in India. (Xiaomi)

Google launched Android One in India in 2014 but the platform did not take off as expected. Android One was revived last year with the launch of Xiaomi Mi A1. Ever since, there has been a handful of Android One smartphones launched in India by companies such as Nokia and Infinix.

Android One

Google's Android One programme offers a simple and clean Android OS experience. Android One phones run pure Android with only select pre-installed Google apps and built-in malware protection. These phones will also receive regular security updates. Android One smartphones are also among the first in line to get the latest Android OS.

In essence, Google's Android One avoids common Android OS problems like excess bloatware, custom UIs and delayed updates. If you're looking to purchase one, here's a list of top Android One smartphones in India.

Xiaomi Mi A2

Xiaomi Mi A2 is the successor to the company's first Android One smartphone, Mi A1. Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with a 5.99-inch Full HD+ display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and a 3,010mAh battery. The base model of Mi A2 comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. You can get this variant at ₹16,999. Xiaomi will be launching a bigger storage variant with 6GB+128GB configuration.

Xiaomi Mi A1 can be considered if you want something priced lower. Mi A1 still stands as a strong budget smartphone only lacking a few trending features. Priced at ₹13,999, Mi A1 offers a dual-camera setup, Snapdragon 625 SoC, 3080mAh battery and a USB Type-C port.

Nokia 6.1 Plus

Nokia 6.1 Plus is the only smartphone in the Android One family with a notch display. Nokia 6.1 Plus has a Corning Gorilla 2.5D curved glass body with a 5.8-inch Full HD+ display. The smartphone runs Qualcomm's Snapdragon 636 SoC with expandable storage of up to 400GB. Nokia 6.1 Plus' cameras are enabled with AI and direct streaming to YouTube and Facebook. It also features 'Bothie', which lets you shoot from both the front and rear cameras at the same time. Nokia 6.1 Plus retails at ₹15,999.

Infinix Note 5

Infinix Note 5 is the cheapest Android One smartphone in the market as yet. It comes with two storage options of 3GB+32GB and 4GB+64GB priced at ₹9,999 and ₹11,999 respectively. The smartphone's 12-megapixel rear camera features AI for scene detection and Google Lens integration as well. Infinix Note 5 is fuelled by a 4,500mAh battery with support for fast charging.

Nokia 6.1

Earlier this year, HMD Global launched Nokia 6.1 aka Nokia 6 (2018), Nokia 7 Plus along with Nokia 8 Sirocco in India. All three smartphones are part of the Android One programme. Nokia 6.1 starts at ₹15,499 for the base model, which comes with ZEISS optics in its 16-megapixel rear and 8-megapixel front cameras. The smartphone is capable of 4K video recording. Nokia 6.1 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 630 processor paired with 64GB of onboard storage and 3GB/4GB of RAM.

Nokia 7 Plus

Nokia 7 Plus has a 6-inch Full HD+ display wrapped in an aluminium body with ceramic-feel coating. In terms of specifications, it comes with a 3,800mAh battery, Snapdragon 660 SoC, and 4GB+64GB storage configuration. For photography, it sports a dual-camera setup of 12-megapixel and 13-megapixel ZEISS sensors. The 16-megapixel selfie camera also comes with ZEISS optics. Nokia 7 Plus is available at ₹25,999.