Android One was launched last year to increase availability of affordable smartphones to developing regions. While a much needed initiative, Android One has largely flown under the radar, though perhaps that’s the point. The latest news regarding Android One was announced today by Google who is launching the platform in six African nations, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Egypt and Morocco. To do this, Google has partnered with Infinix, an African manufacturer, to make the Infinix HOT 2 which will be available for N17,500, or around $88 USD.
As you might expect, the hardware specifications of the Infinix HOT 2 aren’t ground breaking, but that would be missing the point – the HOT 2 will have a quad-core MediaTek processor, 1GB RAM, 2GB storage, dual-SIM functionality and will run Android Lollipop 5.1.1. It’s also promised that the HOT 2 will receive Android Marshmallow whenever Infinix rolls out the update. To give some background on exactly how much this region needs cheap, reliable smartphones, Google estimates that 95% of all devices that are accessing the Internet in Nigeria are smartphones. You keep doing you, Android One.
What do you think about Android One becoming available in six African nations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Android Blog
