Google introduced an optimized iteration of Android called Android Go last year. It’s meant for affordable devices with 1GB of RAM or less. It’s how Google plans on expanding Android’s reach further in emerging markets. According to a new report, Google has teamed up with several manufacturers in India to launch $30 Android Go-powered smartphones later this month.
Not only is the operating system optimized for these affordable devices, Google has also created Go-compatible versions of its core native applications like Maps, YouTube, and Email.
According to the report, Google has teamed up with established vendors like Micromax, Lava, Intex, Karbonn, and others to launch cheap Android Go-powered smartphones in India.
Micromax is likely going to launch its first Android Go device later this month for around $30. Other vendors are said to follow suits in the coming weeks.
These smartphones will be priced well below the average price of a low-end Android smartphone which is around $100. Even that’s out of reach for many customers in emerging markets like India. Bringing the price point down to $30 will enable Google to bring Android to countless new customers.
At this price point, smartphones are effectively brought within the reach of customers that have largely been limited to feature phones.
Google is yet to confirm or deny this report. None of the vendors mentioned in this report have commented on the matter as yet. An unnamed Google official cited in the report says that the company expects Android Go devices to launch in early 2018.
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