Android Go vs Regular Android – Which is Right For Your App

Android Go was introduced in 2017 for low-budget smartphones. The motto behind launching such an app is to cater to users who cannot afford expensive smartphones, predominantly in developing countries. 

The introduction of Android (Go Edition) smartphones existed when Google decided to make the Android apps accessible to everyone. 

In this blog, we will better understand the differences between Android Go vs Regular Android apps. 

What is Android Go?

Android Go is Android; it isn’t a cut-down or semi-compatible version. When you go to the Play Store, you can access all the standard apps your hardware can physically support.

It is the lite version of Android Oreo OS, having limited features and functionalities. Users can run the OS on low-budget smartphones.

When considering the development of an app for Android devices, understanding the distinction between Android Go and Regular Android is crucial, especially for an Android software development company. Android Go, introduced in 2017, targets users with low-budget smartphones, primarily in developing countries. This OS has compressed apps such as Google Go, YouTube Go, Gmail Go, and Google Maps Go.

The main goal of launching Android Go was to shift the keypad users to Android phones. It’s also a cost-effective alternative for users with budget issues who can’t afford to buy high-spec Android phones with 512 MB- 2 GB of RAM. 

According to Google, the goal behind introducing Android Go Edition is to create a great smartphone experience in the hands of people with limited data connectivity and provide computing to all users who face issues related to data, storage, and memory. 

So, Googe’s motto is to provide access to affordable smartphones. 

With Android Go, Google-based apps consume less data and space. Additionally, you can find preinstalled apps on Android Go, such as Google Assistant Go, YouTube Go, Gmail Go, Gboard Go, Files Go, etc. These apps come with limited features. 

Before developing Android Go, Google strives to focus on 3 areas, which are as given below-  

1. Android Go Play Store

Google launched the Android Go Play Store to lessen the weight of applications and make Android lightweight. 

Besides that, the new Play Store has fewer apps than the traditional one. 

Unlike Google Play Store, Android Go Play store offers customers facing façade, meaning it provides suggestions of top applications that run flawlessly on phones and helps users find the best ones for their devices. 

2. System Compatibility

The operating system of Android Go supports devices with RAM ranging between 512 MB -1GB. Android Oreo is the operating system that Android Go uses. 

With the advent of digitalization, businesses are looking for ways to upgrade their applications. 

Such apps take up more space than Android Nougat, leading Android to develop Android Go apps.  

Moreover, Android Go has a data saver feature that accounts for consuming fewer mobile data. 

3. Android Go Apps

Google came up with launching apps that are of lite version than usual apps. Such apps are responsible for consuming 50% less space and provide the same level of experience as usual apps. 

In the case of Android Go, users can find plenty of preinstalled apps, including Gmail Go, YouTube Go, Google Maps Go, Google Go, etc. 

A specialty of these apps is that they offer fast speed and performance by 15%. However, users will have access to limited features and functionalities. 

What is Regular Android?

Regular Android refers to the standard operating system version used on various operating systems, including smartphones, wearables, and tablets. 

Google developed and maintained it. 

It covers core features and functionalities that users expect, such as making and receiving calls, web browsing, sending text messages, downloading, and using apps. 

A few examples of regular Android devices include-  

• Google Pixel smartphones and tablets
• Samsung Galaxy smartphone tablets
• Motorola smartphones
• Nokia smartphones
• Vivo smartphones

Need help in developing Android apps? 

Key Differences Between Android Go and Regular Android Apps 

Let’s shed light on how Android Go is different from Regular Android apps  

1. Google vs. Google Go

Regarding the app size, the Google Go version is lighter than the regular Android app (Google app). The app size of Google Go is 12 MB, which is way less than the regular Google app, which takes a large space of 166 MB. 

Thanks to the app’s lean size, you can download Google Go faster. With reduced app size, you will find limited features in the go version.

With the Go version, users can access all features, including image search, Google translate, maps, etc. As it is a liter version, it lacks certain features such as offline downloading.

2. Gmail vs. Gmail Go

Those users with low-budget Android devices can find Gmail Go a lucrative option. With such an app, users can watch their e-mails and reply to the ones they feel are important. 

Those users who can’t afford to buy high-end smartphones can play with Gmail Go and access their account with just a tap of a button. 

Regarding RAM utilization, Gmail Go takes up around 77MB of memory space. While a regular Gmail app takes up around 260 MB of space. Both apps are almost the same in terms of look and performance. 

3. YouTube vs. YouTube Go

As you know, YouTube has become a primary source of entertainment for smartphone users. But Google is not satisfied with that. It wanted to delight users by launching the light version of YouTube, YouTube Go. 

An advantage of YouTube Go is that it saves mobile data and user device storage. It enhances the user experience by giving them a choice of whether to download or view the video. 

For Instance – YouTube Go does not ask you to play or download videos; it doesn’t give you more options. Furthermore, it only provides a few features, such as you cannot subscribe to different channels. 

Besides that, a regular YouTube app takes 122 MB of storage space, while YouTube Go takes less space, around 29 MB. 

4. Google Maps Vs. Google Maps Go

When we talk about the visual appearance of both apps, Google Maps and Google Maps Go look the same. But, regarding functionality, “Google Maps Go” has certain limitations. 

It lacks various features, including real-time turn-by-turn navigation, missing reviews, etc.  

If you want to access Google Maps Go, you need a Chrome browser. 

Such an app takes 100 times less space than regular Google Maps applications. However, it provides access to features such as real-time traffic updates, finding the fastest route, information about public transportation, etc. 

It lacks certain features when finding places without an internet connection or looking at street views; it isn’t as good as the regular Google Maps app.

Read also- Best Android App Development Framework

Top Android Go Apps

Here are some of the leading Android Go apps- 

1. Gmail Go

Google decided to drop the lighter version of Gmail Go, which covers all the basic features of the Gmail app.  

Users can get such an app only on Android Go devices. Gmail Go is the lightest version of the Gmail app and is not available in all countries. The app consumes 13 MB of storage space, while a regular Gmail app takes more than 200 MB. 

You can access various features in Gmail Go, such as smart replies, smart e-mail categorization, multiple accounts, etc. In a nutshell, such an app is designed to consume less battery. 

2. Google Maps Go

A lightweight version of Google Maps is called Google Maps Go. To access “Google Maps Go”, you need access to the Chrome browser. It provides access to most features, such as public transport and real-time information about local businesses. 

However, Google Maps Go does not provide offline support, which is necessary in countries with limited data connectivity. Also, it does not allow users to share real-time locations with others. 

So, having a Google Maps Go is a lucrative option for older smartphone users. 

3. Google Assistant Go

With Google Assistant Go, users can ask questions using their voice, and it’s almost similar to the Google Assistant app. It has limited features.  

For Example – It supports only the English language as of now. 

Besides that, it won’t allow users to interact with third-party apps. Even Google itself says that this app is lightweight and fast and is made to use less storage and data. 

Some features are not available in this app, such as control for smart home devices, reminders, etc.  

With the lite version of this app, users can continue to enjoy the virtual assistant capabilities such as making calls, asking for weather updates, playing music, etc. 

4. YouTube Go

This app was launched in 2016 and was the first Android Go app. Its video preview feature lets users take a sneak peek of what’s inside the video. With such an app, users can even download content for offline viewing and share it with their friends. 

This app is designed to reduce data usage. 

It is developed for areas having limited internet connectivity. So, each time the user thinks of downloading the video, this app shows the user the available video quality with the amount of data available. 

Thus, a lite version of this app gives you access to all YOUTUBE features by preserving your internet. 

Wrapping Up

As the number of mobile apps increases, Google aims to cater to a global audience by developing the Android Go OS version. 

Now, you have various insights on Android Go vs. Regular Android apps and the top Android Go apps you should know to serve a wider audience. 

We at BigOhTech deal with various clients around the globe, and from our previous years of experience, we know how to satisfy our clients by launching lite version apps that work perfectly on low-budget smartphones. 

In fact, as an Android app development company, we rightly understand the need to develop a new platform that addresses the user needs of low-RAM devices. 

So, now that you have everything on your plate. Let’s not wait anymore. 

Connect with our Android app developers to get an incremental increase in your ROI. 

FAQs

Q1. Is Android Go Edition better than Android?

Android Go Edition is not necessarily “better” than Regular Android in terms of features and functionalities. Instead, it is optimized for lower-end devices with limited resources. Android Go offers a streamlined experience tailored for budget smartphones, focusing on efficient performance and reduced data consumption.

For users with modest hardware specifications or limited access to high-speed internet, Android Go Edition can provide a smoother experience compared to Regular Android.

Q2. What are the limitations of Android Go?

Though it is geared for low-cost handsets, Android Go Edition is not without its limits. It is lightweight. These restrictions mostly concern fewer hardware resources and a feature set that is smaller than that of Regular Android. Reduced RAM capacity, constrained storage, and less potent hardware components are a few typical restrictions. 

In order to save resources, apps in the Android Go ecosystem might also have less features than their full-featured equivalents on Regular Android. This could have an impact on the user experience.

Q3. What is Android Go Edition?

An edition of the Android operating system called Android Go Edition is designed especially for entry-level smartphones with constrained hardware. Google’s Android Go Edition was unveiled with the goal of offering a seamless and effective user experience on low-cost smartphones, especially in developing nations where pricing is a major barrier to smartphone adoption. It comprises operating system features and optimized versions of well-known apps that are designed to function well on devices with less RAM and storage.

Q4. What is Android 13 Go Edition?

As of my last update in January 2022, there hasn’t been an official release or announcement regarding Android 13 Go Edition. However, it’s common for Google to release Go Edition versions of their Android updates to cater to users with entry-level devices. If Android 13 Go Edition follows previous patterns, it will likely continue the trend of optimizing the Android experience for budget smartphones, focusing on performance efficiency and resource optimization. Users can expect to see improvements and optimizations tailored to the constraints of lower-end hardware.