What is Android Go?

Android Go is officially known as Android (Go Edition), a lightweight version of the Android operating system designed to run on low-performance phones. This software has built for Android smartphones having low memory (RAM), slow-performing processes, and consumes less available mobile data.

Android Go was first announced in 2017 by Google at its developer conference. Since then, several Android phones have been running on this software. Such phones are lower-end smartphones and come under budget due to low memory capacity, processors, etc. The Android Go Edition software is mainly used for entry-level smartphones having 512MB to 2GB of RAM.

Android Go software was first launched on Android 8.1 (Oreo). Phones on Go Edition are designed to reduce mobile data usage by enabling Data Saving mode by default. The software was made available to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to make it affordable for Android 8.1 and later versions.

Features of Android (Go Edition) software

• Design for low-performance devices: The software has been built for smartphones with less than 2 GB of RAM, creating more possibilities for many devices.
• Launches faster: Apps on an Android Go edition entry-level smartphone start up to 30% faster.
• Do more tasks simultaneously: On devices with up to 270 MB of extra memory, support to run more applications and games simultaneously.
• Makes extra space: It is designed in such a way that apps can run in less space, which frees up to 900 MB of additional storage, which means extra space for more photos, videos, and apps.
• Designed to connect people: Android Go is designed so everyone can connect and have amazing smartphone experiences at an affordable price.
• Apps that increase in the size of possibilities: On Android (Go Edition), several popular Google apps are built from scratch level, using less memory space in the device and even saving data. Also, these apps are easy to use, helpful, and have good performance in terms of speed.

Built-in security on Android Go those stays on guard

In addition to the better app and memory management features, Android (Go Edition) also has strong built-in security features that protect every user from malicious apps and fraudsters. Some of the built-in security offered by Google in Android Go are listed below:

• Google Play Protect: It is a protective service that runs on its own to restrict harmful applications from reaching your smartphone.
• Find My Device: It is a feature that locates your device, locks it down, and, optionally, when needed, wipes device data if the phone goes missing.
• Efficient security: There is a useful security feature that keeps your data safe without affecting device performance using advanced encryption.

How is Android Go different from regular Android?

While looking at the external interface, Android Go looks similar to Android One or stock Android. But you will find several default apps were replaced by 'Go' equivalent apps. For instance, here are some Go apps that replace default Google apps:

• Google Go: replaces the standard Google search app.
• Gallery Go is an offline photos/editing app that replaces the Photos app.
• Assistant Go: it is a lightweight app alternative to Google Assistant.
• Camera Go
• Files Go

The File Go app is installed on Android Go devices to manage the file systems and storage space that are currently in use. It also suggests you delete junk files and apps that have been used for a long time.

Android Go Play Store

Android Go Play Store is similar to the regular Play Store but offers content for low-storage devices. It has a faster and lighter way to search apps for Android Go devices and saves up to 40% of data. Apps from Android Go Play Store run even on a slow connection, and smartphones have low internal memory space. The apps available on this platform are recommended specifically for Android Go handsets. It lets you discover trending queries and topics by tapping on them or your voice command. Android Go Play Store offers everything you need for your Android Go devices.

Android Go apps

Like the Android (Go Edition) operating system, Google also developed apps for Android Go devices to better manage the device's internal storage. These apps consume 50% less storage space and perform well on low-end hardware devices. Some of the Go apps that come pre-installed on Android Go handsets are as follows:

• Google Go
• Gboard Go
• Google Assistant Go
• Chrome File Go
• Gmail Go
• Google Maps Go
• Files Go
• YouTube Go
• Google Play Store

Remember that these apps are for Android Go devices, may be faster, slimmer, and take less storage, but they might contain one or two lesser features. For instance, you cannot control or set reminders on smart home appliances with Google Assistant Go. But you can perform most other standard jobs like setting up alarms, opening apps, and giving various commands or asking questions. Hope for more Android Go-optimized apps soon.

Which phones are running on Android Go Edition?

Many mobile handset manufacturers launched their Android Go Edition smartphones at affordable prices. The popular manufacturers are Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, and Xiaomi. Some of the phones running on the Android Go platform are:

• Xiaomi Redmi A1
• Xiaomi Redmi A2
• POCO C50
• POCO C51
• Moto E13
• Nokia C22
• Nokia C12
• Nokia C21
• Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
• Vivo Y01

Undoubtedly, more Android Go handsets are available in the market at budget prices that you can check before purchasing.

Best Android Go Smartphones 2023

Several Android Go smartphones are available at an affordable price in the market. Here, we have provided some of the best Android Go handsets for you:

Xiaomi Redmi A1

• Display: 6.49- inch IPS LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) display with 720 x 1600 resolution, 269 pixels per inch (PPI), 20:9 ratio
• Processor Chipset: MediaTek Helio A22
• CPU: Quad-core, 2GHz, Cortex A53
• RAM: 2GB
• Internal Memory: 32GB
• Camera: Rear 8MP + 0.08MP, Front 5MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• OS: Android 12 (Android Go Edition)
• Dimension: 6.49 x 3.02 x 0.35inches, 192 grams

POCO C51

• Display: 6.52- inch IPS LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) display 720 x 1600 resolution, 269 pixels per inch (PPI), 20:9 ratio
• Processor Chipset: MediaTek Helio G36
• CPU: Quad-core, 2.2GHz, Cortex A53
• RAM: 4GB
• Internal Memory: 64GB
• Camera: Rear 8MP + 0.08MP, Front 5MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• OS: Android 13 (Android Go Edition)
• Dimension: 6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35inches, 192 grams

Moto E13

• Display: 6.5- inch IPS LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) display 720 x 1600 resolution, 270 pixels per inch (PPI), 20:9 ratio
• Processor Chipset: Unisoc T606
• CPU: Dual core, 1.6GHz, Cortex A75
• RAM: 2GB
• Internal Memory: 64GB
• Camera: Rear 13MP, Front 5MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• OS: Android 13 (Android Go Edition)
• Dimension: 6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33inches, 179.5 grams

Nokia C22

• Display: 6.5- inches IPS LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) display 720 x 1600 resolution, 270 pixels per inch (PPI), 20:9 ratio
• Processor Chipset: Unisoc SC9863A
• CPU: Quad-core, 1.6GHz, Cortex A55
• RAM: 4GB
• Internal Memory: 64GB
• Camera: Rear 13MP +2MP, Front 8MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• OS: Android 13 (Android Go Edition)
• Dimension: 6.48 x 2.98 x 0.33inches, 190 grams

Samsung Galaxy A03 Core

• Display: 6.5- inches PLS TFT LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) display 720 x 1600 resolution, 270 pixels per inch (PPI), 20:9 ratio
• Processor Chipset: Unisoc SC9863A
• CPU: Quad-core, 1.6GHz, Cortex A55
• RAM: 2GB
• Internal Memory: 32GB
• Camera: Rear 8MP, Front 5MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• OS: Android 11 (Android Go Edition)
• Dimension: 6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 inches, 211 grams

Vivo Y01

• Display: 6.51- inch IPS LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) display 720 x 1600 resolution, 270 pixels per inch (PPI), 20:9 ratio
• Processor Chipset: MediaTek Helio P35
• CPU: Quad-core, 2.3GHz, Cortex A53
• RAM: 2GB
• Internal Memory: 32GB
• Camera: Rear 8MP, Front 5MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• OS: Android 11 (Android Go Edition)
• Dimension: 6.45 x 2.96 x 0.32 inches, 178 grams