Android One off to a shaky start, as shops refuse to stock the budget smartphones

By Andy Boxall Published November 21, 2014

android one sales stutter in india — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Android One is the name given to the budget smartphones Google hopes will bring it success in growing markets around the world, but the new devices have received a frosty welcome from retailers in India, after they were shutout of the initial online-only launch, and the low profit margins associated with the $100 phones.

According to anonymous executives speaking to The Economic Times, eight major electronics retailers in India, totaling 1,800 stores, have decided against stocking any Android One hardware. Launched in mid-September, the three Android One phones announced – produced by local manufacturers Micromax, Spice, and Karbonn – were initially only being sold online. When sales didn’t meet expectations, the hardware was offered out to retail stores.

Recommended Videos

The director of one mobile store said his chain wouldn’t be stocking the phones, due to the decision not to include brick-and-mortar stores during the all-important, media-hyped launch. Low profit margins are turning off other companies. Apparently, a margin of around 10 percent is the standard, but Android One phones provide around 4 percent. Others are complaining customers aren’t interested in the Android One phones, and despite the low cost, there are plenty of good alternatives already on sale.

Knowledgeable smartphone buyers tempted by the promise of fast, guaranteed Android updates on Android One phones, may be put off by news Android 5.0 Lollipop may not arrive on the devices until 2015. Nexus phones are receiving the update now, but according to Spice’s CEO, the Spice Dream Uno Android One phone won’t see the new OS until January. Motorola, LG, and HTC all hope to have 5.0 Lollipop updates out around the same time.

Google’s plan for Android One is to bring good quality, reasonably priced smartphones to developing markets. It’s also designed to introduce users to the Google Play store, and combat the rise of alternative Android-based app stores provided by manufacturers such as Xiaomi. It doesn’t sound like it’s proving to be an easy sell though.

Topics

Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

Mobile

Life with the Pixel 5, OnePlus 8T, and Galaxy S20 FE: Which is worth your $700?

pixel 5 oneplus 8t galaxy s20 fe shootout buying guide and cameras

Not that long ago, your choice of smartphones to buy for about $700 was modest, and not especially exciting. Throughout 2020, the range at this price has expanded, to the point where it’s hard to make a decision because there are so many tempting options. At the top of any list should be the $699 Google Pixel 5, the $699 Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, and the $749 OnePlus 8T.

You can decide based on specifications alone, of course, and compare this feature and all that, but I’ve been swapping between all three for the last few weeks, and I’m going to tell you which one I’ve settled on at the end of it all. It’s not a decision based on specs -- it’s about the nuances of living with each one, the designs, the things that work, and the things that don’t.
Daily use
Let’s talk about the Galaxy S20 FE. It’s the only one here with a plastic rear panel — or to use Samsung’s word, “glasstic,” because it’s supposed to feel like glass. It’s acceptable on its own, but against the OnePlus 8T and the Pixel 5, it’s not good enough. It doesn’t come close to the cool-to-the-touch, deliciously high quality matte finish of the OnePlus 8T, which you’d swear belonged to a phone that costs much more than it does.

Mobile

OnePlus 8T vs. Google Pixel 5: Which new phone comes out on top?

OnePlus 8T

2020 is almost drawing to a close, but the smartphone industry still hasn't run out of eye-catching flagships to launch. October saw the release of (among others) the Google Pixel 5 and the OnePlus 8T, both of which offer a range of enticing features at a reasonable price level. The Pixel 5 continues Google's fine tradition of delivering competition-beating cameras, while the OnePlus 8T is a strong all-rounder that lets you recharge its battery faster than you can make a hot meal. They're both lovely phones, but we need to know: Which one is better?

We answer this question by comparing the Pixel 5 and OnePlus 8T in a direct head-to-head. We look at their specs, designs, displays, performance, cameras, software, and special features, while counting which one wins in most categories. This should help you decide which Android flagship is more to your taste.
Spec

Mobile

Google Pixel 5 vs. OnePlus 8: Can the flagship killer strike again?

Someone holding a Google Pixel 5. The screen is on and shows the Home Screen with an app folder open.

The Google Pixel 5 is the best Pixel Google has released to date. Featuring the same excellent 12.2-megapixel camera as the Pixel 4, it adds a 16MP ultrawide lens, a significantly larger battery, 5G support, and an improved display. It looks set to be one of the best Android smartphones you can buy and one of the best phones costing $700 or less.

But it's not the only sub-$700 Android. Another strong contender in this category is the OnePlus 8. Released in April, it also features great software, a long-lasting battery, an appealing design, and a very usable camera. It's a good phone in its own right, but is it better than the Pixel 5?