According to a report published by India Today, phones using Google’s new Android One reference platform will make their debut earlier than expected. Announced during the Google I/O conference in June, Android One was slated for an October release, but if the publications sources are correct, the new OS will be out in September instead.
Related: Read all the news from Google I/O here
Google has teamed up with three local hardware manufacturers, Micromax, Spice, and Karbonn, all of which produce cut price smartphones running Android already. Interestingly, Micromax and Karbonn have also signed up to make Windows Phone devices recently. Apparently, three phones will be released next month with Android One installed, and they’re “more or less ready,” according to the report.
However, it’s not absolutely certain when they’ll be announced, and they must overcome one final stumbling block; it’s a big one. Google wants Android One hardware to come in at around $100 unconnected, but none of the companies feel confident they can meet this low cost, and would prefer to attach a higher price tag to the finished products. The three companies are pushing to charge at least $150 for their Android One efforts.
Recently retired phone leaker @evleaks sent out a tweet potentially revealing Micromax’s effort, indicating it would have a 4.5-inch, 960 x 540 pixel resolution screen, a dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor, and a 5-megapixel camera. The phone was also seen during the Google I/O keynote.
Google’s Android One platform will be based on standard Android, and offered without a third-party user interface over the top, but networks will be able to provide their own apps for the phones through Google Play. Google will also control the update process for Android One phones.
While Android One will make its debut in India this year, Google has committed to eventually bring the phones out all over the world.
