Overview of Google Phones

The term Google phone refers to handsets that use the search giant’s Android operating system. A Google phone stands out among rival mobiles for its clean, easy to use user interface, huge range of applications and massive array of functions.

A Google phone can also refer to a handset that bears Google branding and has been developed in collaboration with the search giant.

Which phones are Google phones?

The Android operating system is open source, which means that any and all phone manufacturers are free to create handset based on the platform. High-profile supporters include HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola and Sony Ericsson.

The Nexus One, manufactured by HTC, was the first Google-branded Android phone and arrived in early 2010. The search giant has since partnered with Samsung to launch the Nexus S, the spiritual successor to Nexus One and a sequel, the Galaxy Nexus, which launched in late 2011.

Compare all Android mobile phones at uSwitch now.

Why are Google phones so in-demand?

After a slow start, Google phones have rapidly built a reputation as powerful, desirable mobile devices and have started to seriously threaten the market dominance of Apple's iPhone. Android is now the fastest growing smartphone platform out there around with millions of handsets sold every month. Here we’ll look at why they’re so appealing.

Customisable homescreens

Google phones use a widget-based interface to allow users to position all their favourite and most-used apps and functions in multiple homescreens. That means they get all the essential features they love at the tip of their fingers without navigating endless menus.

Free upgrades

Updates for Android add new functions to handsets and arrive regularly and are free to download. An update can breathe new life into older phones and make new, cutting-edge Google phones even better.

Multi-tasking

Some of the best Google phones are home to powerful dual core processors. These chips, combined with an ever improving operating system, allow owners to use multiple apps simultaneously with minimal lag. This makes Google phones perfect for anyone who really needs to make the most of their time.

Apps

The term apps refers to the software that can be downloaded onto an Android phone. By downloading apps, you can effectively change the functionality of your Google phone whenever you like.

What is Android Market?

The Android Market is the Android equivalent of Apple’s iPhone App Store – a vast online software store offering tens of thousands of apps for owners of Google phones to download.

Among the titles on offer at the Android Market are practical and time-saving business, finance and travel applications. You'll also find countless fun diversions and quality games to keep you entertained on the go.

Google phone updates

Periodically Google will issue a software update for Android, which can either be sent out to phone owners over the air – in which case it will be downloaded to a phone automatically – or will have to be downloaded manually by the user.

The new iterations of the platform typically make Google phones faster, easier to use and add new functions that were not present previously. Updates also iron out any security issues and glitches that may have been present in earlier versions.

History of Google phones

The first ever commercially available Android phone was the HTC Dream, which was marketed in the UK as the T-Mobile G1. After this well-received handset sold over a million units across Europe, the floodgates opened and a slew of Google phones came to market.

Google phone landmarks include a number of handsets from Motorola and HTC that have helped push Android into mass market consciousness. These include the Motorola Droid (known as Milestone in Europe) and the HTC Desire, both of which are widely considered to have propelled Android to the mainstream.

Samsung’s Galaxy S was also widely regarded as a high benchmark for Google phones. Rave reviews aside, this Samsung phone sold more than 20 million units worldwide, to push Android ever closer to smartphone supremacy.

One problem encountered by Google phone owners has been the issue of updating phones with custom user interfaces. With a default Android operating system, updates are easy, but customised interfaces by manufacturers require additional testing for compatibility, and as a result has led to delays in getting the updates out on time to some handsets.

Don't want an Android phone? Check out deals for other smartphones at uSwitch now.