The Android One project announced by Google at the I/O conference in June guaranteed the launch of smartphones with reasonable sub-$100 price tag. For the same, Google roped in local OEMs such as Micromax, Spice and Karbonn to launch smartphones under the initiative. It appears like these manufacturers are set to price their offering between Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,000, which is higher than the $100 price tag (approx. Rs 6.000) and launch them next month in the country.
Apart from India, Google is also expected to roll out similar smartphones in the other emerging markets, but it will be done after analysing the consumer response for the Android One program in India.
According to Economic Times, a source involved in the development of smartphones claims that the prices of the Android One smartphones have gone higher as Google intends to provide better apps and features and it is possible only with a minimum set of hardware and software standards that have come to this new pricing.
The report also claims that one of the Android One smartphone will be going official next week and will feature dual SIM card slots, microSD card support and a removable 1,700 mAh battery. It is likely that the device will also come with an 5MP primary snapper, quad-core processor, 1GB RAM and run on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. The handset will receive the Android L update soon after its commercial release, most probably in October.
As per previous reports, Google will be spending Rs. 100 Crore on advertising Android One in the country. In addition, Indian smartphone vendor Spice is reported to launch its Android One smartphone around Diwali festival.
In another report, Micromax has started sending out press invites to the Indian tech press media for attending an event on September 1st in New Delhi, where the company will be introducing a new smartphone. The invite doesn't reveals anything, and simply reads “Witness the Democratization of the Technology.” As per online reports, Micromax will debut its first Android One smartphone that day. Stay tuned for more!