During Google’s launch of the first Android One smartphones in India, the Philippines was mentioned as one of several countries where the project will hit next.
Android One is a partnership between Google and manufacturers where a reference design is used to create entry level smartphones having the same specifications and compatible with the latest version of Android.
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| Android One Smartphone from Micromax – the Canvas V1. |
The first three Android One smartphones are the Micromax Canvas V1, Karbonn Sparkle V and Spice Dream UNO. The prices range from ₱4,500 to ₱4,650 based on current foreign exchange rates.
All three Android One smartphone run on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat using a 1.3GHz quad core processor from MediaTek, Mali-400 MP2 GPU, 1GB of RAM and 1,700mAh battery with a 4.5-inch 854 x 480 pixel display, 5MP main camera and 2MP front snapper.
The most interesting part is that local brands in the Philippines like MyPhone has been ‘re-branding’ smartphones from Micromax and Cherry Mobile from Karbonn. Hence, we might see the Canvas V1 in MyPhone kiosks in the next months!
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| A shared hardware – all Android One smartphones share the same specs. |
Other smartphone OEM’s like Lenovo, Asus, Acer and Alcatel are also working on their Android One smartphones. Perhaps an Android One Asus Zenfone running on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat is already in the works?
However, there are disadvantages with the Android One smartphones too. For example, they only have a 1,700mAh battery while current smartphones in this price level boast 2,000mAh batteries and above. The 5MP camera is also inferior to the 8MP cameras of the MyPhone Rio or the Cherry Mobile Flare S2.
For sure, the best feature of Android One smartphones is its direct support from Google. They will immediately receive OTA updates when a new version of Android is out. I know a lot of Android users who would like to use an Android L smartphone without the high price of flagship devices.
Specs:
- 4.5-Inch IPS Display (854 x 480 Pixels, 218 ppi)
- Android 4.4.4 Kitkat OS
- 1.3GHz Quad Core MediaTek MT6582 Processor
- Mali-400 MP2 GPU
- 1GB of RAM
- 4GB Internal Storage
- Expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD
- 5.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with LED Flash
- 2.0 Megapixel Front Camera
- Dual SIM/Dual Standby
- 3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
- Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Bluetooth 4.0
- GPS with A-GPS
- FM Radio
- MicroUSB
- 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Accelerometer
- Proximity Sensor
- Light Sensor
- 2,700mAh Li-ion Battery
- ₱4,500 – ₱4,650 Estimated Price
