Rumors are swirling that Android One, Google’s line of devices targeted at first-time smartphone users, might be coming to the United States sometime in the late fall, according 9to5Google.
Although none of the information is confirmed, the site’s sources say that the Android One phone will work exclusively with Google’s Project Fi cellular service, with the phone costing anywhere between $200-$300 — good news since access to Fi is expensive right now. If you want to use a modern phone with it, it’ll cost you $650, or you can go with the Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X, which start at $400 or $250, respectively.
Sources have also speculated that the Android One will be a T-Mobile exclusive, with the exception of Project Fi, although 9to5Google is skeptical this could be true. One interesting tidbit: Unlike the Nexuses, Google will let the manufacturer handle update distribution on Android One.
In addition, there will only be one Android One phone debuted in the U.S., with reports that Google is choosing between the Moto X (2017) and the HTC E37. Both phones are in the $350-$400 range, but Google might subsidize the cost of the new Android One phones with the profits of its Pixel line. This will presumably bring down the cost of the phone to the $200-$300 range.
While nothing is known about the HTC E37, if Google goes with the Moto X, the phone will likely have modest specs: a Snapdragon 625 with only 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
For now, with all of this information unconfirmed, US.. consumers will have to wait to find out if and when Android One makes its American debut.
