Android Go: what is it and which devices are compatible

O Android Go, Also known as Android Oreo (Go edition), is a stripped down version of Android designed to run on entry-level smartphones. It is made up of three optimized areas – the operating system, the Google Play Store and the applications of Google – which have been reinvented to deliver a better experience on smaller hardware. Let's learn more about the system and the devices that are compatible with it?

Operational system

The operating system is based on the Android Oreo, but it is optimized to run on smartphones with 512 MB a 1 GB of RAM. It takes up approximately half the space of the Android Nougat, giving smartphones with little storage space the ability to store more media and apps – most Android Go smartphones come with 8 ou 16 GB storage.

Devices running Android Go are believed to open apps 15% faster than previous Android software, although this is also the case for the regular version of Oreo. In addition, the Google enabled the “data protection” feature for Android Go users by default to help them consume less mobile data.

Apps

Like the operating system, the Google also developed applications to make better use of device memory. They demand up to 50% less space and perform better on low-end hardware. the smartphones Android Go come with just nine pre-installed apps, listed below:

• Google Go;
• Google Assistant Go;
• YouTubeGo;
• Google MapsGo;
• GmailGo;
• GboardGo;
• Google App Store;
• Chrome;
• Files Go.

Keep in mind that these apps may be smaller and faster, but they have fewer features. For example, you can't set reminders or control smart home devices with Assistant, but you can do a lot of other standard things like set alarms, open apps, and ask a bunch of questions.

It is worth noting that we can expect many other apps optimized for the Android Go coming soon. Developers can now start producing applications for the operating system with the help of the development guidelines of the Google Building for Billions.

Play Store

Creating a new operating system and pre-installed application package is a great start for the Android Go, but what about when people start using the device in the real world? To help users keep their system lightweight, devices Android Go have access to an exclusive version of the Play Store.

A android go play store It offers the same content as the regular Play Store, only the showcase is more suitable for low storage devices. It has a featured apps section that recommends apps specifically for devices Android Go, pointing users in the direction of applications that will be most useful to them.

What's the point of Android Go

Demand for smartphones in emerging markets like India is on the rise. O Google expects its next billion users to come from these countries, where purchasing power is lower than in the West. That's why the company wants to provide them with a new generation of affordable smartphones under $100 that run faster, provide more storage and help reduce data consumption.

It looks like a brilliant plan on paper as it can allow the Google increase the number of users of your applications and services. However, software is only part of the equation. The company needs to have as many hardware partners as possible on board that will flood the market with smartphones, which will not only have to be affordable but also pleasing to the eye. After all, no one wants an ugly smartphone.

Smartphones compatible with Android Go

The first batch of devices Android Go was released on MWC 2018 in February last year. Six smartphones were announced at the show, including the Alcatel 1X and Nokia 1. Since then, many more devices Android Go were announced by companies such as Samsung, Motorola e Xiaomi. We are not going to list them all in this post, but we will show you the five best and most interesting ones.

Nokia 2.1

The highlight of the Nokia 2.1 is its battery that reaches 4.000mAh, putting the device in contention with the Galaxy Note 9 and Huawei P20 Pro in this regard. The device has a simple design and sports a 5,5 inches. Like most other Android Go phones, it comes with just 1 GB of RAM e 8 GB storage, which can be expanded to 128 GB additional files using a microSD card.

Nokia 2.1 was announced in May 2018 and is available in India, Europe and the Americas. You can get it for approx. R$800,00 in the best stores in the industry.

Samsung Galaxy J4 Core

The Galaxy J4 Core was announced in November 2018 and is Samsung's second Android Go device. He sports a screen 6 inch HD+ and an aspect ratio of 18,5:9, just like the company's premium handsets. The phone is powered by the chipset Snapdragon 425, comes with 1GB of RAM and offers 16GB of storage expandable.

O Galaxy J4 Core It's available in three colors – black, blue and gold – and has a nice design with a curved back and relatively thin edges. You can find it in the best stores in the industry for about R$729,00.

Huawei Y5 Lite (2018)

The Android Go device from Huawei It has a modern design considering its price. The bezels are relatively thin, the screen has an 18:9 aspect ratio and the back has a nice looking camera module in the upper left corner.

Like the rest of the Android Go devices, it won't stand out in terms of specifications, displaying a 5,45 inches, the chipset MediaTek MT6739 and 1 GB of RAM.

O Y5 Lite (2018) was announced in December and is the second Android Go device from Huawei. Currently, it can be found in the best stores in the field from R$650,00.

Moto E5 PlayGo

In July, Motorola announced the Android Go edition of the Moto E5 Play aimed at markets in Latin America and Europe. The smartphone has the same specs as the regular Moto E5 Play, with some differences.

In addition to running a stripped down version of Android, it also has a slightly larger screen (5,3 versus 5,2 inches), a different aspect ratio (18:9 vs 16:9), and 1 GB instead of 2GB of RAM.

The rest of the specs are the same, as is the design. The smartphone is very affordable – like every other Android Go device out there – with just R$590,00 you can get it.

Xiaomi Redmi Go

The recently announced Redmi Go is Xiaomi's first Android Go device. It is a great option for those looking for a compact smartphone, as it displays a 5-inch screen.

You will find the chipset Snapdragon 425 together with 1 GB of RAM, as on many other Android Go devices. The device also has a battery 3.000mAh, 8GB of storage expandable and a main camera of 8 SM.

Its biggest advantage over the competition is the price. The device can be found in the best stores in the field from R$350,00, being the cheapest Android Go smartphone on the market!

These are some of the best Android Go smartphones we've seen so far, although there are several others available as well. Which ones would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments.