Google is reportedly planning to launch its Android One smartphone program in the United States. The Alphabet company could start selling the super-cheap smartphones in the U.S. before the middle of this year and possibly announce details at Google I/O 2017. These budget phones will have price tags ranging from $200 to $300.
Several entry-level phones are already in the U.S. market. Smartphone makers that sell low-cost phones there include Apple, Microsoft, Sony, Motorola, HTC, and Asus. Google, however, might be making a bigger move than it seems.
The California-based company launched Android One in Asian markets a few years ago. Recently The Information reported it was expanding it to the U.S. market.
Google's top goal for Android One was to make cheap handsets that were better quality than current budget phones. The tech giant has promised the affordable devices will get updates with complete OS releases and security patches, according to Computerworld.
Pixel is basically Google's version of Apple's iPhone. The smartphone maker produces a high-end device that it controls end-to-end and provides a quality user experience.
This allows phone manufacturers to tweak the Android platform. A big issue, however, is that the Pixel phone costs $650. The problem is that Google cannot fix Android so if it wants to have a bigger piece of the smartphone market it must take another step.
Last year Google dropped the Nexus brand to focus on its high-end Pixel smartphones that do not run pure Android like Nexus devices, according to Yahoo. The Pixel phones became big hits after the battery problems of Samsung's Galaxy Note 7.
Google's plan is for other phone makers to use Android One to build self-branded devices. It is offering promotional revenue if they use the tech company's guidelines.
Google could bring back a smaller and cheaper version of the Nexus program. It might be a wise move by providing a better overall experience and giving third-party phone makers the chance to build customized units.
This is a more cost-effective option for Google. It prevents the need to build its own Android phones ranging from rock-bottom to high-end prices. Android could require phone manufacturers to use its core standards while not getting too embroiled in the complex process of building handsets.
Android One brings Google one step closer to an iPhone-like ecosystem. It gives customers more options to experience how the company believes Android should function.
Here's a review for an Android One phone: