While Google just launched the Android One project in India with the launch of three affordable smartphones, the early partners are preparing for the next round of Android One smartphones.
According to sources, the initial Android One vendors which include Micromax, Karbonn and Spice, are pleased with the market response to the recently announced Android One handsets and are prepping to launch the second round of device in December this year. These vendors would also be joined by the new vendors added to the project which includes Lava, Xolo and the others.
Google, meanwhile, has decided to expand the project to other countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka before the end of the year. While the first round of Android One smartphones had standard specifications with prices in the Rs. 6000 range, it would be interesting to see if the vendors could drop the prices still further without affecting the hardware.
Speaking about the future plans, Shashin Devsare, Executive Director, Karbonn Mobiles, said, “Smartphone penetration in India still remains low and we believe there is still a huge scope…We will look at bringing in a device by December-end.”
