Chinese handset manufacturer Xiaomi has been confirmed by Google as a partner on its Android One programme.
The Android One initiative was launched in 2014 with the goal of enabling internet access via “high quality, affordable phones” that “run a software experience designed by Google”.
Google notes that the programme has gained traction, stating: “the larger community has told us they value what Android One stands for across a range of phones – a refreshingly simple software experience that is accessible, always fresh and stays ahead of the curve with improvements to battery life, usability, and of course security”.
The success of the project has led to Google expanding it to “new partners, geographies and price points”. Xiaomi’s first Android One device, named the Mi A1, will launch in “dozens of countries” – among them several Asian markets such as India, Indonesia, Russia and Vietnam, as well as undisclosed Eastern European and Latin American markets.
The Mi A1 was revealed in India, and accordingly its price was first revealed in rupees – a total of INR14,999 or around $234. The handset features dual 12MP wide-angle and 12MP telephoto cameras, as well as a 5.5-inch full HD display, fingerprint sensor, 3080mAh high-capacity battery, and full metal body.
The device is powered by an octacore Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, and offers 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
