While the developed world has access to powerful handsets like Google’s Nexus and Pixel lineup, unfortunately the prices of these devices keeps them out of reach for customers in emerging markets, which is why Google has created its Android One series of smartphones designed to bring the Android experience in a more affordable package.
We have seen Google work with various companies in the past to create Android One phones, but in a report from Indonesian website Krispitech (via Ausdroid), Google could have a new Android One manufacturing partner in the form of Xiaomi. The report claims that the phone will be based on the Xiaomi Mi 5X, although we’re not sure what will be changed other than the rumored addition of dual cameras, which is an interesting feature especially for phones designed for the emerging market which tends to be more simple and basic.
Xiaomi themselves have been known to create budget Android phones in the past, especially for markets in China and other parts of Asia, so for them to work with Google to create Android One phones doesn’t really seem like a stretch of the imagination. Of course you should take this with a grain of salt for now since nothing has been confirmed yet, although given the launch of Android One phones, we probably won’t be seeing them stateside anytime soon either.
Filed in . Read more about Android, Android One, Google and Xiaomi.