Android One makes it to Philippine shores

After months of silence, the long-awaited Android One program lands on Philippine shores, bringing with it two new affordable handsets from local manufacturers.

Two local brands joined the program, each one presenting their own model of an affordable  Android One smartphone: Cosmic Technologies has the Cherry Mobile One while SGI has the MyPhone Uno.

The smartphones have almost the same hardware specifications, tailored to the specifications that Google set forth under the Android One program. Cherry Mobile and MyPhone are two of the top local smartphone brands in the country and have approached Google to be certified and be part of this program.

Android One is basically an effort by Google for Android system to introduce low-cost handsets to first-time users in developing markets like the Philippines. Google partners with local players to come up with an Android One smartphone with software close to stock Android less the additional customization and bloatware normally introduced by brands.

In a way, Android One is like the Google Nexus program for low-cost handsets. That means a more optimized smartphone with guaranteed Android updates for at least the first two years of its lifetime. That’s on top of having Android 5.0 Lollipop right out of the box.

The handsets have very basic hardware configuration – positioned to be really entry-level devices that are very capable yet still affordable.

Of the two, the Cherry Mobile One has a slightly better configuration with an 8GB internal storage compared to 4GB on the MyPhone Uno. Aside from the design, everything else is even between the two right down to screen size, processor, RAM, and battery capacity.

Google has also enjoined local telcos to offer over-the-air updates to these handsets for free on the first six months.

Globe, Smart and Sun Cellular are also offering the units for postpaid subscribers with plans starting as low as P399 per month.

The Cherry Mobile One has a suggested retail price of P3,999 while the MyPhone Uno sells for P4,599.

The two handsets could just be the first batch and it is possible more brands will join the Android One program.