At the 2017 I/O Conference, Google announced Android Go for the first time. Google introduced this platform as a lightweight version of Android designed to run smoothly on low-cost smartphones. The goal was to make Android devices more accessible to users with entry-level hardware.
If you are not familiar with Android Go, here is a simple explanation.
About Android Go
Android Go is a lighter version of Google’s Android operating system. It was created specifically to run efficiently on entry-level devices with limited hardware.
As smartphone usage continues to grow worldwide, Android Go became a strategic move for Google to expand into budget markets. It is designed to use less storage space and work smoothly on devices with lower RAM.
Devices with small RAM often struggle with performance. Android Go addresses this issue by reducing the size of pre-installed apps and optimizing system performance. The apps consume less storage and use less data.
Google focused on three main areas while launching Android Go: the Play Store, the operating system, and the apps.
Android Go Play Store
Google introduced a special version of the Play Store for Android Go devices. The purpose was to reduce app load and make the system lighter.
There is not a major difference between the standard Google Play Store and the Android Go Play Store. However, the Go version is optimized for entry-level devices and recommends apps that perform better on low-RAM smartphones.
Apps
Google offers lighter versions of many popular apps for Android Go devices. These apps are designed to take up less storage space while maintaining similar performance.
Most of these apps use nearly 50 percent less storage compared to regular apps. Some advanced features may not be available, but the core functionality remains the same.
Common pre-installed apps on Android Go include Google Go, Gmail Go, YouTube Go, Google Maps, Google Assistant Go, and Files Go.
Many of these apps are designed as Progressive Web Apps to reduce system load. Overall, apps on Android Go can run faster and more efficiently on low-end devices.
Operating System
Android Go is based on the Android Oreo platform and is optimized for devices with 512 MB to 1 GB of RAM.
It includes a built-in data saver feature and better memory management. The system is designed to allow users to install more apps without performance issues.
Key Differences Between Regular Apps and Android Go Apps
Let’s compare regular Android apps with their Android Go versions.
Google App
Google Go is a lighter version of the standard Google app. It provides essential features like voice search, Google Translate, and Maps while using much less storage.
Google Maps
The Go version of Google Maps is significantly smaller in size compared to the regular version, making it suitable for entry-level devices.
Gmail
Gmail Go allows users to check and reply to emails efficiently, even on low-storage devices.
YouTube
YouTube Go is a lighter version of the regular YouTube app. It is designed to consume less data and storage space.
Files Go
Android devices originally did not have a strong built-in file manager. Files Go was introduced to help users manage storage easily. It quickly became popular among budget smartphone users.
Size Comparison
If we compare the total size of regular Google apps with their Go versions, the difference is significant. Google Go apps occupy around 81 MB of storage, while regular apps can take up approximately 522 MB.
This makes Android Go a practical solution for entry-level smartphones with limited storage and RAM.
