Google has unveiled its first set of Android One-powered smartphones in India, where local companies like Micromax, Spice, and Karbonn will be selling the budget-priced devices.
The new phones – the Micromax Canvas A1, Spice Dream Uno, and Karbonn Sparkle V – are expected to retail for around $105 with a minimum set of features determined by the search giant. These include a 4.5 inch (11.4cm) display, a quadcore Mediatek processor, 1GB of RAM, 5-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front cameras, and the ability to run the next version of Android.
In addition, the devices also feature a replaceable battery, a micro-SD slot, a built-in FM radio, and dual SIM support.
On the software side, the devices will ship with a customized version of the YouTube app that'll allow you to store videos when you are on WiFi, so that you can watch them later. The smartphones will ship with support for more languages, and feature 13 new local publications in Google Play Newsstand.
The Mountain View, California-based company has also partnered with various network operators to provide special data packages. For example, Android One users on Airtel, one of India's most popular networks, will be able to download updates as well as 200 MB worth of apps per month from Google Play at no cost for the first six months.
If you're unaware, Android One is a reference program that allows smartphone manufacturers to make devices based on low-cost hardware designs put together by Google. One of the major advantages of Android One devices is that they will get software updates directly from Google, without the help of the handset manufacturers, allowing the company to improve the user experience and fix issues quicker.
While Flipkart and Snapdeal will be exclusively selling Android One devices from Spice and Karbonn, respectively, Amazon's Indian arm will sell devices from Micromax. The smartphones will be available in physical stores from next month.