List of Google Play Edition Devices: A Comprehensive Guide

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Browsing Google Play Store on Tablet
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The Google Play Edition devices were a series of smartphones that ran on stock Android, without any manufacturer overlays. These devices were designed to provide a pure Android experience.

In 2013, Google partnered with several manufacturers to release these devices, including HTC, Samsung, and Sony. The first device to be released was the HTC One Google Play Edition.

The HTC One Google Play Edition was a variation of the popular HTC One smartphone, but with a few key differences. It had a 4.7-inch display, a 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, and 2GB of RAM.

One of the main benefits of the Google Play Edition devices was that they received Android updates directly from Google, without any delay from the manufacturer. This meant that users of these devices got the latest Android features and security patches as soon as they were released.

What is a Google Play Edition Device?

A Google Play edition device is basically just a Google-sanctioned Android device that runs a stock build of the Android OS, with slight modifications to include device-specific hardware features.

Credit: youtube.com, Google Play Editions: Explained!

It's worth noting that these devices are not branded as Nexus devices, but they still receive software updates directly from Google.

Device manufacturers supply the updates, but the unique process bypasses carriers like AT&T and Verizon, which are notoriously slow at pushing out updates and upgrading Android devices to the latest OS version.

Google Play Edition Devices

Google Play Edition devices are essentially Android devices that run a stock build of the OS, with some device-specific hardware features included. They receive software update deliveries directly from Google, bypassing carriers that are notoriously slow at pushing out updates.

The first Google Play Edition device was the Samsung Galaxy S4, announced at Google I/O 2013 and released in June 2013 for $649. It didn't run Samsung's TouchWiz interface and software, unlike the original Galaxy S4.

HTC One was another popular device that got a Google Play Edition treatment, announced in May 2013 and released in June for $599. It ran a stock version of Android, rather than HTC Sense.

Additional reading: Google Web Designer Free

Credit: youtube.com, Google Play Edition Android 4.4.4 ROM for Galaxy S4! GT-i9505/T-Mobile/AT&T/Verizon/Sprint

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra phablet also got a Google Play Edition release, announced on December 10, 2013, and priced at $649. It ran a stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat.

Here are the Google Play Edition devices that were available:

  • Samsung Galaxy S4
  • HTC One
  • Sony Xperia Z Ultra
  • LG G Pad 8.3
  • Motorola Moto G
  • HTC One M8

Current Google Play Phones

The Google Play Edition devices were a series of smartphones that ran stock Android, rather than the manufacturer's custom interface. These devices were sold through the Google Play Store.

The first Google Play Edition device was the Samsung Galaxy S4, announced at Google I/O 2013 and released on June 26, 2013, priced at $649.

The HTC One was another popular device that was released as a Google Play Edition, with a price tag of $599. It was announced on May 30, 2013, and ran a stock version of Android.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra was a Google Play Edition device that was announced on December 10, 2013, priced at $649. It was later discounted to $449 on April 29, 2014.

Credit: youtube.com, HTC One M8 Google Play Edition Review!

The Motorola Moto G was a budget-friendly Google Play Edition device that was released on January 14, 2014, priced at $179. It received updates from Google, rather than Motorola.

The HTC One M8 was the last remaining Google Play Edition device, released on March 25, 2014, priced at $699. It was eventually removed from the Google Play website in January 2015.

Here's a list of the Google Play Edition devices that were available:

  • Samsung Galaxy S4 - $649 (June 26, 2013)
  • HTC One - $599 (May 30, 2013)
  • Sony Xperia Z Ultra - $649 (December 10, 2013)
  • Motorola Moto G - $179 (January 14, 2014)
  • HTC One M8 - $699 (March 25, 2014)

Tablet

The Google Play Edition Devices had some amazing tablets in their lineup. One notable example is the LG G Pad 8.3.

On December 10, 2013, a Google Play edition of the LG G Pad 8.3 was announced, priced at $350, and sold exclusively through the Google Play Store. This tablet was a great option for those looking for a high-quality Android device. The Google Play edition of the LG G Pad 8.3 was a unique offering that combined the best of both worlds, providing users with a seamless experience.

The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play edition was a powerful device that offered a lot of value for its price. With its sleek design and impressive specs, it was a great choice for anyone in the market for a new tablet.

Available Google Play Edition Phablets

Credit: youtube.com, Google has updated the Play Store with multi-device support

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is a Google Play edition phablet available now, released on 10 December, and it runs a stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat.

This phablet was originally launched in June 2013, but the Google Play edition costs $649 through the Google Play Store, which is a significant difference from the original version.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is a great option for those looking for a Google Play edition phablet, and it's available now for purchase through the Google Play Store.

For another approach, see: Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition

What Google Play Edition Devices?

Currently, there's only one Google Play edition tablet available, the LG G Pad 8.3, which was released on December 10th and runs on a stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat.

It's available through the Google Play Store for $350 in the US and £212 in the UK.

There are also rumors of a Google Play edition Moto X, which was first reported by The Verge in August, but there's been no official word on a release date or pricing.

The original Moto X was announced in August 2013, so it's been a few months since the rumor surfaced, but we're still waiting for confirmation from Motorola.

Consider reading: Moto X Play

Jeannie Larson

Senior Assigning Editor

Jeannie Larson is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a passion for storytelling, she has curated articles on a wide range of topics, from technology to lifestyle. Jeannie's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that resonate with diverse audiences.

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