Cherry Mobile releases G1, first LTE-ready Android One phone

Since February of this year, Google’ Android One initiative has been in full effect in the Philippines. The Android One initative is Google’s drive to partner up with the local smartphone manufacturers of developing countries in order to develop affordable smartphones capable of delivering a complete Android experience. Stereotypes like “cheap” and “local” may come to mind for those learning about Android One initiative for the first time, but those working under the partnership have done nothing but surprise us. This latest gadget from the initiative is no different.

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Less than one year after its launch in the country, Cherry Mobile, one of the two local smartphone brands partnering up with Google, has announced the impending launch of the sequel to its successful Cherry Mobile One phone. Following in the Android One tradition, the new Cherry Mobile Android One G1 offers a complete Android Lollipop experience for a budget-friendly price.

Design-wise, the Cherry Mobile G1 is considerably larger than the Cherry Mobile One. The G1’s screen measures in at 5-inches, a half inch larger than its predecessor. It sports the no-frills, minimalist design of Android One products, but with a friendly-to-the-touch matte back. Its 5″ IPS display is protected by scratch resistant Asahi Dragontrail glass.

Working closely with Google, the Cherry Mobile G1 is built with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 64-bit quad-core processor, which is backed by an Adreno 306 GPU chip. It also comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (expandable up to 64GB via microSD), double the figures featured on the Cherry Mobile One.

Of course, an Android One phone isn’t complete without the latest Android OS version. The Cherry Mobile G1 comes preinstalled with Android Lollipop 5.1.1. Google guarantees that this phone will receive OTA OS updates for up to two years, which makes it just in time for the upcoming Android M update.

Battery life has also received an update. The Cherry Mobile G1 has a capacity of 2,500mAh, a step up from the One’s 1,700mAh battery. Paired with Lollipop’s energy-efficient features, expect the Cherry Mobile G1 to last a full day on one charge.

For its affordable price, one of the surprising improvements in the G1’s design is the BSI-supported camera combination which rocks a 13-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and 5-megapixel front camera. The picture above is a sample shot taken with the rear camera.

More than the good camera, the biggest surprise came with its connectivity features. The Cherry Mobile G1 is the first Android One device in the country to be LTE capable. Together with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, there is no loss in connectivity wherever you are.

Available accessories for the Cherry Mobile G1 are tempered glass screen protectors, back guards, and a Pyxis clicker tool.

The Cherry Mobile G1 is available at select Cherry Mobile concept stores and kiosk nationwide on the week of August 23. It will retail for a very affordable price of P5,999.

Users who purchase the new Cherry Mobile G1 phone will receive a free 8GB microSD card. For the early birds who purchase within two weeks after purchase, it will also come with a free Pyxis clicker tool.