Jio partners with MediaTek to develop affordable Android-Go smartphone
Taiwanese chipset manufacturer MediaTek has revealed it has partnered with Reliance Jio and Google to bring an entry-level Android Go (Oreo) smartphone. The chipmaker also announced that the affordable Android Go smartphone could be launched in the first-quarter of 2018. MediaTek also showcased its latest chipsets that support the lighter Android OS. Details about the 4G device's pricing and availability are unknown. Here's more.
What is Android Oreo (Go Edition)?
In Dec'17, Google unveiled Android Oreo (Go Edition), specially designed for devices with less than 1GB RAM. Phones that run Android Go come with "Go" version of Google apps, including the main Google app, YouTube, Assistant, and Gmail, apart from "performance and storage improvements". Go Edition is basically a lightweight Android Oreo variant customized for low-end devices to offering better services to users.
Android Go smartphones to launch in global markets soon
In December, MediaTek became one of the first companies to collaborate with Google for offering platforms compatible with lightweight Android Go. Its partnership with Reliance Jio could pave the way for low-cost 4G smartphones offering great performance. Last month, the chipmaker said Go smartphones with MediaTek processors would be launched globally in Q1 2018; Jio's smartphone could also be among them.
Reliance Jio disrupted the martket with JioPhone
Reliance Jio took the market by storm when it launched the Rs. 1,500 JioPhone last year; it's effectively free as the amount is refundable after three years. The 4G VoLTE JioPhone has a 2.40-inch display, dual-core Spreadtrum SPRD 9820A/QC8905 processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal-storage (expandable up to 128GB), 0.3MP front-camera, and 2MP rear-camera. Recently, Google announced a special Google Assistant version for JioPhone.
Jio would finally offer support for WhatsApp
The "ultra-low-cost" phone segment has gained popularity after the launch of Rs. 1,500 JioPhone "smart" feature phone. Jio's rivals like Airtel and Vodafone also launched low-cost entry-level Android smartphones for around Rs. 2,000-3,000. While JioPhone, with many services smartphone-like features, remains a popular choice, it does lack support for the popular instant messenger WhatsApp. With the Android Go phone, JioPhone could support WhatsApp, too.
MediaTek's latest processors
MediaTek also showcased three latest chipsets MT6739, MT6739, and MT6580 that support Android Go. It also launched a premium SoC, Sensio MT6381, which is MediaTek's first six-in-one smartphone biosensor module (biometric sensor) that focuses on healthcare. MT6381-powered phones can deliver health data like high-end devices.
Specs, features the upcoming Go smartphone is expected to offer
While details about the upcoming Jio smartphone haven't been officially revealed, it would run Android Oreo (Go Edition). It may be powered by MediaTek's MT6739, MT6739, or MT6580 processor paired with 512MB/1GB RAM and storage space of 8GB or less. Some reports that surfaced last October claimed Jio was working on a low-cost smartphone with a 4-inch display; it could be the Go device.
