Google, Want To Sell More Nexus One Phones? Offer It On Boost Mobile.

When Google first offered its Nexus One phone for sale, it took a very different approach by not tying it to a specific carrier (though in reality is was essentially tied to T-Mobile).  Unfortunately, T-Mobile already had a bunch of Android phones in its lineup (G1, My Touch) that the Nexus One had to compete with.  When Google launched their AT&T version, Motorola’s Backflip beat it to the party.  Verizon was long-rumored to carry the Nexus One, but now it has the HTC Incredible (and Motorola’s Droid before that).  Sprint is now ramping up for the HTC EVO.  Which leaves Google with no real market.  Except the market it should have went after in the first place: prepaid.

photo credit: mac morrison

The prepaid market lines up much better with Google’s approach to selling phones.  Prepaid customers already purchase unsubsidized phones, and there’s currently no prepaid phone running Android available in the US.  This is about to change (probably) with Motorola’s i1, but that phone is a lower-end device.

But the prepaid market has a social stigma — these customers are less desirable to mobile phone carriers because they are not locked in.  They can change their plans at any time, switch carriers easily, and spend as little as a few dollars a month.  Because of these factors, the prepaid market is filled with sub-par phones.  Which makes it the perfect market for the Nexus One.