Micromax to Launch Bharat Go, India’s First Android Go Phone

We may earn a commission for purchases made using our links.

Over the years, Google’s focused lot on developing countries such as India. From providing connectivity solutions like RailWire Wi-Fi to launching payment apps like Tez, the search giant’s become increasingly invested in the fast-growing subcontinent. Now, Google’s attempting to improve the selection of low-end Android smartphones through its Android Go project, and it’s teaming up with Micromax to launch one of the first.

Micromax will be one of the first India-based smartphone manufacturers to release an Android Go-based phone, according to the Economic Times. The phone’s called the Bharat Go, and Micromax claims it’ll be the first in the country to ship with Android Oreo. It’ll launch by the end of January 2018, and though the price and specifications remain a mystery, it’s expected to cost around Rs 2,000 ($31).

To recap, Android One was Google’s first shot at trying to improve the selection of low-end Android smartphones in emerging markets. With Android One, Google directly delivered updates to handsets and required manufacturers to adhere to a particular set of hardware specifications. But not all companies appreciated Google dictating hardware specifications, and as a result, Android One project lost steam.

Now, Google’s giving it another go with Android Go. The search giant’s optimized Android for weaker hardware components, and some of the tweaks involve Go-specific versions of Google apps such as Maps Go, YouTube Go, and others that that perform well on low-end smartphones. Android Go also includes data-saving tweaks and a revamped Play Store that highlights apps designed for low-end phones. But perhaps the best part about Android Go is that unlike Android One, Google doesn’t require smartphone manufacturers to adhere to a particular set of specs.

Indian smartphone manufacturers have seen their market share shrink in the face of aggressive competition from China-based smartphone manufacturers. Android Go might be their best chance at reversing their fortunes.