Google’s Entry Tier
According to the Wall Street Journal on Sept. 16, Google introduced new low-cost smartphones in the price range of 100,000 won in India using its Android One platform. The newspaper reported that Google's new smartphones will cost about US$105 (108,000 won).
The Android One smartphone will be manufactured and distributed by India's largest mobile phone maker Micromax Informatics, P.S. Associates Private's Karbonn, and Spice Retail.
The Android One platform is aimed at the emerging market, where smartphones haven't yet been widely distributed. Starting in India, Google is going to roll out the new model in Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, and South Asian countries by the end of this year, and the new headset is planned for release in other countries next year.
In India, there are other smartphones in lower price ranges similar to the Android One smartphone, but the search engine giant anticipates that the Android One phone will be able to deliver more consistent performance than other low-cost phones.
With the introduction of the new handset by Google, competition between smartphone makers in India is likely to heat up. India is the third-largest smartphone market, following China and the U.S.