Google might plan $100 Android phone to challenge iPhone 6’s entry

Google is planning a low-budget smartphone that may retail for as little as $100, according to rumours. Treat this info with scepticism: there’s little more to go on.

Nonetheless, the rumour is enticing for many reasons. First, Google is actually expected to launch the Nexus 6 later this year. That’s the successor to its well-regarded (but modestly sold) Android flagship phone with a big screen.

Second, the market is moving away from Apple’s iPhone business, if that business is defined as $300+ phones with small screens. Apple sells the iPhone at around $700. Virtually all the growth in smartphone sales recently has been in the sub-$300 price range, and in the large-screen phones category.

So if Google was to bring out a high performance Android at the $100 level, it could terrify Samsung and Apple. A $100 high-quality Android would mean that consumers can finally pick from two wildly differently priced, high performing phones.