Nokia 1 with Android Oreo (Go edition) announced at MWC

Google promised they were on the way and HMD Global has now fulfilled that promise by becoming one of the first major OEMs to launch an Android Go phone (TCL/Alcatel being the first one). The Nokia 1, powered by Android Oreo (Go edition), will launch in Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, Asia Pacific, Australia, and Latin America this April, priced at just $85.

The entry-level device was revealed today at MWC in Barcelona, where the Finnish company unveiled its line-up for the coming year.

HMD Global is pitching its new budget phone as a “transition” device for those moving from feature phones to their first smartphones, with Google’s leaner OS offering a simple, data-efficient version of Android capable of running on low-cost hardware.

That means Nokia 1 users will have access to Go-specific versions of Gmail, Maps, Chrome, Assistant, and the Play Store despite its low-level quad-core MediaTek processor and lowly 1 GB RAM count. The cameras aren’t exactly anything to write home about either, with a 5 MP sensor on the back and a 2 MP shooter on the front.

HMD Global has managed to cram in a 4.5-inch IPS display, which isn’t too bad for a sub-$100 phone. The polycarbonate chassis should also provide a decent level of durability. In addition, users will be able to swap the casing out for various different color options, although it won’t stop the phone from looking a little bit like a chunky, Lumia-era Nokia phone.

With Android Oreo (Go edition) running behind the scenes, the Nokia 1 looks like a perfect phone for Android newbies, all while still providing the pure, secure, and up-to-date experience HMD Global’s brand reboot has become known for.

Let us know your thoughts on the Nokia 1 in the comments!