Android has a large share of handsets in the market owing to attractive handheld models and low prices. These modern Android devices are largely targeted to consumers for everyday use. But often these are not fit for business needs as they fail to address the basic enterprise standards such as minimum hardware specifications, consistent application experience, device deployment challenges and inherent security needs. It can be intimidating for businesses to choose a device that is appropriate for enterprise use.
Google launched the Android Enterprise Recommended program to help businesses counter these challenges. With this program, Google highlights the handsets which meet the guidelines and can handle the most challenging and diverse environments in businesses.
Device must haves for Android Enterprise Recommended program
Handsets running on Android 7.0+ handsets and above must have the following criteria specified by Google:
- Minimum hardware
- User interface specifications
- Mass deployment support
- Frequency of security updates
- Default set of apps
- Standardized look and feel for the work profile
His move not only raises the bar for enterprise-level devices but also tackles the problem of non-uniformity created by the presence of numerous Android OS versions and international carriers. For example, fragmented OS is one of the main cause of concern for businesses as older iterations of Android OS versions are vulnerable to malware and unclassified Android threats.
Google also suggests a list of EMM vendor partners through this initiative which helps businesses to manage BYOD and corporate-owned smartphones from a single console.
42Gears is one of Android Enterprise Partners which enables businesses to remotely manage mobile devices, configure settings and regulate access to corporate apps and data on these devices for their employees.
In order to be enterprise-ready, the Android devices must have the following basic configuration:
| Operating system | OS version | Minimum Android 7.0 and above |
| Minimum Device Specifications | RAM Storage Speed Battery life Camera (front / rear) Architecture | 2 GB 32 GB 1.4GHz 8+ hours 2MP / 10MP 64-bit |
| Bulk Device Enrolment | Enrolment methods | QR code Zero-touch enrolment (Required for Android 8.0 devices) |
| UI/UX | Default Systems Apps - work profile | Contacts Downloads Play Store EMM app |
| Default Systems Apps - managed devices | Camera Contacts Downloads Google Messaging Dialer Play Store Settings EMM app | |
| Other Apps | Contacts Dialer Settings, etc. | |
| Standard AOSP icons and strings | Use standard branding and strings | |
| Provisioning workflow requirements | Managed devices Work profile Enrolment | |
| Services | Security update support | 90-day security updates |
| Major update release support | Support current shipping release + next release upgrade | |
| Unlocked device availability | The unlocked device must be available for purchase by enterprise customers either through a third party distributor or directly from a manufacturer. |
List of Android Devices Recommended by Google for Enterprise
Here’s the list of 21 Android Devices Recommended by Google for Enterprise use and some of their features.
| Devices | Features |
| 1. BlackBerry KEYone: | OS: Android 7.1.1 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support |
| 2. BlackBerry Motion: | OS: Android 7.1.2 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support |
| 3. Google Pixel: | OS: Android 8.1.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 4. Google Pixel 2: | OS: Android 8.1.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 5. Google Pixel 2 XL: | OS: Android 8.1.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 6. Google Pixel XL: | OS: Android 8.1.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 7. Huawei Mate 10: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 8. Huawei Mate 10 Pro: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 6.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 9. Huawei P10: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 10. Huawei P10 Lite: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 11. Huawei P10 Plus: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 6.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 12. LG G6: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 13. LG V30: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 14. Moto X4: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 3.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 15. Moto Z2 Force Edition: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 16. Nokia 8: | OS: Android 8.1.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 17. Sony Xperia XA2: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 3.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 18. Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 19. Sony Xperia XZ Premium: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 20. Sony Xperia XZ1: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
| 21. Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact: | OS: Android 8.0.0 RAM: 4.0GB Support: Telephony Support, Fingerprint Support, NFC Support, Zero Touch Support |
How Will Businesses benefit from Android Enterprise Recommended program?
Using any of the Google-approved devices as a workforce tool in business, enterprises can ensure easier management, faster and efficient deployment, better security, enhanced user experience and reduced support costs.
Google plans to use the same criteria to classify rugged devices and other devices used by enterprise mobility management providers. Overall this is a crucial step by Google to boost Android adoption rate in enterprises as a reliable workplace tool.Interested to manage BYOD and corporate-owned devices from a single console? Sign up for a free trial.