Meizu Partners Google to Announce Android Go Smartphone Launch

Meizu recently launched its new range of smartphones, Meizu 15, Meizu 15 Plus, and Meizu 15 Lite, with 16:9 displays, in China. All these smartphones run Flyme OS 7, a custom Android ROM with heavy customisations and several proprietary apps and features. However, the company is now announcing a partnership with Google to launch Meizu's first Android Go-based smartphone.

Global Marketing chief at Meizu, Ard Boudeling took to Twitter on Tuesday to reveal this partnership. While no details are mentioned as of now, this will most definitely be a budget-oriented smartphone considering Android Go is meant to work on handsets with around 1GB of RAM and a low amount of inbuilt storage. An Android One-based Meizu smartphone, on the other hand, isn't part of the company's pipeline in 2018 at least, as per Boudeling's reply to a Twitter user.

Android Go, or Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) as this year's version is called, was announced back at Google I/O last year with a clear focus on creating an optimised software for ultra-affordable and low-powered smartphones.

While there is no clarity on whether Meizu's upcoming Android Go handset will make its way to India, Indian smartphone maker Lava has already announced the country's first Android Oreo (Go Edition) based smartphone - the Lava Z50. Available at an MOP (Market Operating Price) of Rs. 4,400, the smartphone can be bought effectively for Rs. 2,400 with a Rs. 2,000 cashback from Airtel.

HMD Global's Android Go phone, Nokia 1 is now in India at a retail price of Rs. 5,499. The Nokia licensee brand's cheapest smartphone in the country is available across retail stores and comes in Dark Blue and Warm Red colour options.