Affordable Android One Smartphones Launch in India

Google kick off its Android One program Monday in India, introducing a new line of affordable smartphones that will help it crack into emerging markets.

The Mountain View-based tech giant unveiled smartphones from manufacturers Micromax, Karbonn and Spice, highlighting the first efforts of the Android One program. Just as promised at Google's I/O conference earlier this year, the smartphones start at a reasonable $105, or 6,399 rupees. Google says it plans on launching more Android One smartphones in South Asia to countries like the Philippines and Indonesia over the coming months.

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Google's Android One Platform About More Than Just Phones

Google announced the launch of its Android One platform on Monday, September 15, targeting the low-end smartphone segment in emerging markets. While newly launched phones are currently available in India, the company plans to roll them out to other developing countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the coming months. The wide launch strategy signals that the competition in the smartphone industry in emerging countries is heating up, albeit at a lower price point. In this note, we explore this offering and Google’s strategy behind the launch.

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