Android One has been around for more than a year now, and so far, the program hasn’t totally caught on. Google’s not giving up, though, and a new report claims that it’s going to rework the program rules a bit.
Sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal claim that Google plans to relax the rules that require Android One device makers to include certain parts in their phones. This would give manufacturers more options when it comes to the features and pricing of their phones, letting device makers buy parts from their own preferred vendors that may be cheaper than the ones that Google previously required.
While there have been quite a few Android One phones released so far, many of them have similar features and designs. If Google relaxes its Android One rules, device makers will be able to make phones with a wider range of features, looks, and price points. This could get more OEMs onto the Android One bandwagon. That said, Google originally put those requirements into place to ensure that Android One phones could offer solid performance, so here’s to hoping that performance on Android One phones remains respectable.
Google and Lava International Ltd. — who has participated in the Android One program in the past — will reportedly introduce a new Android One smartphone in the coming months.