Google on Monday launched the first set of Android One smartphones aimed at emerging markets like India. Three Indian smartphone makers – Micromax, Karbonn and Spice – have launched one smartphone each powered by MediaTek processors.
By Nandagopal Rajan
The devices will be priced Rs 6,399 onwards, a bit above the $100 price point that was promised initially.
Android One devices will feature mid-range specs including a 4.5-inch touchscreen, 1.3 GHz MediaTek processor and 4GB internal memory among other mid-range features. However, what will set these devices apart is their low data usage and access to free YouTube in a couple of weeks. Yes, users of these phones will be able to access YouTube without any data charge.
The phones will start selling today on Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon. Offline sales will start around Diwali. Google has also announced mobile experience zones that will go around the country soon.
The devices will be among the first get the Android L update and will have Google translate featuring Hindi to English. Sundar Pichai said India is just the template to learn and will soon be launching in other South Asian countries.
Acer, Alcatel, Asus, HTC, Intex, Lava and Lenovo are joining the programmes along with Qualcomm, he added.
Pichai said this moment was similar to the launch of the first G1 phone, which kick started Android that has now grown to 1 billion users worldwide.