A new crop of Android smartphones is on the rise

Jack Wallen examines the rise of a line of Android devices that the US market may have no idea even exists -- a line that could easily take over (if given the chance). 

When you think of Android smartphones, a select few companies come to mind: HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola. That's about it, right? If you live in a bubble, yes. If, however, you reach beyond that shell, you will discover a new crop of Android-powered smartphones readily available in other parts of the world. This includes the following:

• OnePlus
• OPPO
• Xiaomi

Let me introduce you to each of these.
 
The OnePlus One is one of the single most powerful smartphones on the market. With a 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 5.5-inch 1080p display, and plenty of specs that should have the major Android manufacturers shaking in their boots, the OnePlus One is one of the first Cyanogen-powered devices on the market. Because it's driven by Cyanogen, it can be highly customized. So, you have incredible power and serious customization packed together in a single device. No wonder the OnePlus One is one of the most sought-after Android devices on the planet! What's even more amazing is the price -- $299 for the 16 GB model or $349 for the 64 GB version. That's half the price of most other flagship models on the US market.
 
Figure A

Image credit: OnePlus

The OnePlus One.

OPPO

OPPO's new N1 offers one of the more unique takes on the smartphone camera. The camera sits on top of the camera and can be rotated 206 degrees . Watch the video:
 

 

The N1's design is a truly stunning all-aluminum work of art. And if that 206-degree rotating camera weren't enough, what about the 12 cm rear touch panel that allows you to control your device from the back side? That's innovation.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi may not be crafting works of art or building the most powerful devices on the planet, but they are selling quality smartphones at insanely low prices. Their new Redmi Note specs 2 GB of RAM on a 1.7 GHz processor for $179.00 ( Figure B). Or you can step it down to 1 GB of RAM and a 1.4 GHz processor for $129.00. That's cheap (and also the reason the company has two phones on the top 10 global sales list). What's more surprising is that, in 2013, Xiaomi overtook Apple's sixth place spot in the Chinese smartphone market (Samsung resides on top).
 
Figure B

Xiaomi Redmi Note.

Any one of these manufacturers could easily hand the world the single greatest Android device. Does that mean said device could become not only the most popular smartphone but a household name? That's hard to say. Breaking into the US market isn't easy for such manufacturers. However, the US isn't the only market. When you look at the global smartphone market, there are only three manufacturers in the top 10 highest selling devices list:

• Apple
• Samsung
• Xiaomi

As OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi continue to produce quality and inexpensive devices, that top 10 list is going to change. Companies like Apple and Samsung do not have nearly the flexibility or incentive to innovate as these Chinese companies. Innovation could easily make or break OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi. From the looks of it, two companies are nailing it from a technical perspective and the other from the price point. I'm not willing to make a prediction, but I would certainly be willing to bet all three of these companies will make major ripples in the smartphone waters over the next year.
 
What do you think? Can a relative unknown company (to the US) make any noise in a market currently controlled by a small group of manufacturers? Can a device that outshines all other flagship devices find its niche in the US -- or will these companies never break the barrier to US entry? Share your thoughts in the discussion thread below.
 
~ Jack Wallen

Related Posts