Flipkart Beats Google to Produce Budget Smartphones

On 25^th June at Google I/O, India smartphone manufactures took the privilege of being under the global limelight. Google announced that they’ll be teaming-up with India’s leading brands such as Karbonn, MicroMax and Spice to release Android One – a range of smartphones feasible for the common man’s wallet while confirming to Google’s specs. However, before Android One could steal the spotlight, Indian E-commerce giant Flipkart announced a range of budget smartphones pricing at around $45.

What makes Flipkart’s release more prominent is that their range of smartphones is also manufactured by Karbonn. It’s an interesting mirror of what Amazon just did with their Amazon fire – however, “India’s Amazon” intends to launch something more in line with its market. Flipkart’s phones will sport dual SIM functionality and run Android Jelly Bean and KitKat.

In India’s industry, local brands have already proven themselves solution for spreading advanced tech to the masses. India, for the record, is a country that shipped some 17.59 million smartphones were shipped in the first quarter of 2014: there’s definite space in there for a new player. It’s unknown as of yet whether Flipkart intends to participate in the Android One program at some point. Also on the horizon is Mozilla sub-$60 smartphone.