Was Android One supposed to be what it is in 2017?

Google’s decision to focus only on the software front should make the Android One program relevant in the consumer’s mind

The launch of the Xiaomi Mi A1 has marked a new beginning for the both the companies involved — a different stock Android product lineup for Xiaomi and the revival of Google’s long forgotten Android One programme. This joint venture will also give the average smartphone seeker a chance to get an appreciable hardware and one of the best software, which isn’t generally the case with mid-range smartphones. So, was Android One always supposed to be what the Xiaomi Mi A1 has come out to be? When the Android One programme was launched in 2014, Google wished to cater to the budget smartphone segment with its software on third-party hardware. It was assumed to be the poor man’s Google Nexus and was expected to revolutionise the budget smartphone segment. It failed miserably though, failing to hit a considerable amount of sales numbers and recall value with the consumers.

That could have happened due to one major reason — Google’s decision to stick to the budget range in the first place. The mid-range segment had been the hot category for the average Indian smartphone seeker and they wanted a good software experience in a decent hardware; nobody wished to downgrade to a cheaper hardware just to enjoy stock Android. In fact, Google’s own Motorola had been selling the Moto G with stock Android in a good overall package. The Indian smartphone user always cared about the quality of the device, especially the hardware that manufacturers offer.

With the Xiaomi Mi A1, Google has done exactly what it should have done with Android One back in 2014, focus only on the software. There’s no governing from Google’s end for any Android One device — the hardware manufacturer can focus on making a commendable hardware configuration and simply use Google’s software to provide a different user experience. Users will get the experience that Google wants its Android users to get. The Xiaomi Mi A1 has good specifications — SD625 with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage (128GB expandable) as well as a 12MP + 12MP dual camera, 5.5-inch full HD display — all of that in a seemingly decent build, loaded with Google’s stock Android, which should sell well in the Indian market. In the upcoming days, other manufacturers in this segment (we expect Samsung and HTC) should also come up with similar kind of devices so that the average smartphone buyer will have a fair choice of getting a quality phone either fully customised or absolutely stock.