In a move that could be a big boost for
Google as well as
India,
Android Go phones are set for release in the country this month. These smartphones will be on shelves for as little as $30 in India with 1 GB RAM. The $30 segment in India is dominated by feature phones like Jio Phone. However, this condensed
Android version on ultra-affordable phones will usher in a new wave of smartphone users.
Google announced
Android Oreo (Go Edition) in
India last month. Now, the multi-national has tied up with local manufacturers like Micromax, Intex, Lava, and Karbonn to make these new devices a reality. This info reported by Factor Daily also adds that devices with
Android Go will be priced as low as Rs 2000.
According to a
Google official, these devices should
launch in early 2018. Also, Micromax might be the first to out such a handset in
India this month itself, according to reports.
Indian phone makers are not the only one in the race of an
Android Go phone. Earlier,
reports of a Nokia
Android Go phone had surfaced as well. It remains to be seen what any of these phones will look like in design. However, they will run a watered-down OS with resource friendly apps like YouTube Go.
Google has built apps like the Play Store from the ground up especially for the new OS. This, in turn, will help Google in its quest to gain a billion more users on the Android ecosystem.