Android One

Android One is a device standard for developing markets. Android One devices run stock Android and get regular updates.

What is Android One?

Android One is a device standard for Android devices launched by Sundar Pichai for developing markets. Android One devices run stock Android and get regular updates. Earlier Android One appeared on entry level devices having similar hardware, appeared only in developing countries and had country specific launches.

With the recent reboot of Android One, many changes have been made such as the presence of mid-range Android One devices, multinational launches, launches in developed countries and inclusion of bloatware.

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Android One is a device standard made for Android devices primarily for developing countries. The basic idea behind Android One is that the hardware is manufactured by the OEM and the software is made and updated by Google. The design, development, marketing and support for these devices is handled by Google.

Android One devices run a stock version of the Android OS with no modification by the device manufacturer. These devices get regular security patches from Google and enjoy long term Android updates. It is rumoured that Google also specifies minimum hardware requirements for Android One devices.

Android One

What was the original concept of Android One?

Android One was launched by Sundar Pichai(Current CEO of Google) while primarily keeping the Indian market in mind.

The initial Android One devices were all entry level devices featuring low price tags. Until very recently, all Android One devices were country specific(no device released in more than one country). The initial wave of Android One devices had the same hardware to simplify the process of porting the Android ROM to all the devices.

What are the recent changes to Android One?

In recent times, Google is trying to reboot the Android One project with mid range and flagship phones where Android One is implemented in a considerably different way than before.

Inclusion of OEM Bloatware

Xiaomi Mi A1

A new addition to the Android One lineup, the Xiaomi Mi A1 comes with stock Android but does ship with some bloatware from Xiaomi. The Feedback app, Mi Remote and Mi store comes preloaded with the device. Besides these, the phone also uses the Mi Camera app(Mostly because the Google camera app still doesn't have support for dual cameras). With the inclusion of these apps and with Control of basic functionality like camera to OEM software, the OS cannot be called free of OEM bloatware.

The Android One edition of the Motorola Moto X4 is another new addition to the lineup. It also uses the Moto Camera app instead of the Google camera. It is also the first non-Google phone to be compatible with Google's Project Fi.

Multi-national launch

The Xiaomi Mi A1 has been launched across 36 countries in the Asia Pacific. This is a first for Android One as conventionally they were country specific.

Launch in developed countries

Motorola Moto X4 Android One

The Android One version of the Motorola X4 is the first Android One phone to be launched in USA. This is extraordinary as originally the Android One project was intended for developing countries only.