The launch of the Android One series in India not only demonstrates the company's goal in expanding market reach but it also shows what other Android competitors may be faced with. According to forecasts, the introduction of the Android One series may threaten the position of other smartphone manufacturers like Samsung as it taps a big segment - a potentially effective strategy. Will Samsung fold over Google's new smartphone? 

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Google decided to partner with three of India's phone makers to support the Android One launch. These include Spice Group, Karbonn Mobiles and Micromax Infomatics Ltd. Google's goal is to enhance quality that can boost the demand for low-end Android handsets. The difference with Android One is that it offers a true or genuine Android experience. The device does not run on a customized platform but based purely of what Google intends Android to be. Google plans on releasing the device worlwide but India sets the perfect groundwork for its launch. It has the world's fastest and biggest emerging smartphone market. 

Nonetheless, when one smartphone manufacturer has the potential to take off, another one will potentially lose ground. Analysts think this will be Samsung. 

"A major threat for Samsung is that Android One will accelerate the race to the bottom on smartphone pricing," Tech 2 quoted Neil Mawston. "Android One now makes Google a foe, not just a friend, for Samsung," added the analyst from Strategy Analytics.

Samsung has to rethink its strategies particularly because Android One poses a threat to its low-end market while Apple continues to challenge its high-end market share. Sundar Pichai shared with BBC that the company has not thought of releasing the device in the US. Nonetheless, it remains an open option. Other manufacturers have also signed up under the Android One initiative including HTC, Asus, Alcatel, Acer, Lava, Intex, Panasonic and Lenovo. Chipmaker Qualcomm is also part of the venture. 

"We expect to see even more high-quality, affordable devices with different screen sizes, colors, hardware configurations and customized software experiences," Pichai's blog post noted.

Tagsgoogle android, Android One, Google Android One