Google And Infinix Team Up For Cheap Smartphones In Africa

Slightly more than a week ago, we did talk about how Google will be focusing on Android One-powered smartphones that cost $50 or less – well, it looks like this low cost initiative is set to be replicated in half a dozen countries in Africa, a continent where majority of the people are unable to afford a mobile device like a smartphone which will enable them to hook up to the Internet. This particular effort, however, will not cost so little – in fact, the Infinix-manufactured devices will carry a cost of approximately $87.

The device will be sold in stores in Nigeria, while online retailer Jumia will carry it in another five countries, namely Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Morocco. Infinix has partnered with Google on the “Hot 2” phone under the Android One program before, which means that this is far from being unchartered territory for them.

All of Infinix’s handsets will roll out with a version of Android Lollipop, rather than Android One, and those who are about to pick it up will be pleased as punch to take note that this device will be more than capable of running the upcoming Android version, which is Android Marshmallow. What do you think of such an effort – will it be able to catch on?

Edwin Kee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Android, Google, marshmallow