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All You Wanted to Know About Android Enterprise Recommended Program

Mar 12, 2018 | 42Gears Team

android enterprise recommended

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

Google has certified and listed these OEM devices which meet all these criteria. All the phones under this program will receive monthly security updates, within 90 days of release for at least three years. Additionally, Google will also offer training and support to the all the OEMs that participate in this program.

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.

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