Announced last September, Android One is Google's attempt to get smartphones in the hands of "the next billion users" - referring to Android's already-massive install base - by selling solid, stock Android Lollipop phones at rock-bottom prices in developing countries.

However, our notion of rock-bottom pricing for these phones may not be low enough for Google, or more specifically, for the targeted buyers in these territories. Several phones have launched since last autumn in countries like India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with many of the devices coming in near US$100, or about £65.

Supply issues have led to shortages, but Google's Rajan Anandan - managing director of Android One in India and Southeast Asia - tells The Financial Times that the company will continue pushing the programme there. In fact, he hopes that Google's partners will be able to drive down phone costs dramatically lower in the coming years.