Lava to launch Android One Smartphone on July 27

The new Android One smartphone, that was previously touted for a July 14 launch, may finally be launched on July 27. Lava has sent in an invite for a July 27 event, raising speculations that the previously rumoured smartphone may finally be unveiled.

After a failed attempt to capture first-time smartphone users with low priced phones running on Android One platform, Google has tied up with Lava to manufacture a new generation of Android One devices. The smartphone that is expected to be unveiled may reportedly feature a MediaTek processor, along with 2GB of RAM. The phone has also been stated to be loaded with apps customized for local areas, that will enhance first-time smartphone users.

Google has aimed to provide a pure Android experience with Android One. The new device will be sold via both online and offline platforms, thereby increasing customer bases and expanding the reach of the budget Android One devices. The new phone, however, is expected to be priced much higher than the previous iteration – in fact, more than double its price, at around Rs. 12,000.

The sub-15k price category in the Indian smartphone market is arguably the most competitive right now. New entrants are mostly focusing feature-enhanced smartphones at this category, and older players are also releasing budget versions of their higher priced smartphone counterparts. It will be interesting to see if the Android One experience will be a powerful-enough factor to draw customers to the upcoming phone, if the launch does take place on July 27.