Google today announced that it is expanding its Android One program to other neighboring regions of India — Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The company had unveiled Android One and the first batch of devices from Indian OEMs at an event in September earlier this year.
With Android One, Google aims to provide access to a quality smartphone experience to users who cannot afford high-end smartphones. All devices under the Android One program run on stock Android 4.4 KitKat and will be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop in Q1 next year.
Spice, Micromax and Karbonn will sell their Android One smartphones in these countries with local carriers and OEMs like Banglalink and Symphony joining them. The latter will be unveiling its new Android One smartphone today — the Symphony Roar A50. All Android One smartphones sold in India cost roughly around $100, and come bundled with free mobile data for 6 months.
Android One devices have not exactly set the sales chart on fire in India with many local retailers refusing to stock the devices due to the low profit margin and demand for them.