These Android phones could soon be significantly more expensive

Smartphone makers should pay Google in the future if they want to pre-install applications such as Google Maps and YouTube on their devices. According to a US report, it could cost $ 40 more per device. Especially in the luxury segment, an increase in prices is expected.

According to a media report, Google wants to require Android manufacturers up to $ 40 per device for the installation of its applications in Europe. The amount varies considerably depending on the region and the screen resolution, wrote Friday the technological blog "The Verge", citing confidential documents.

The group was Reaction to the European Commission's record sanction for competition Among other things, he announced that he would claim for his previously free software for manufacturers such as cards or future funds. An amount was not mentioned – and by Google, there was no comment on the report of "The Verge" on Friday.

The well-connected blog has indicated that Google's royalties should be related to the pixel density on the screen. In addition, the Internet group has divided the countries of the European Economic Area into three groups. For appliances sold in Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands, the highest costs will be paid.

So Google for a smartphone with a pixel density of more than 500 pixels per square inch (dpi) on the screen will require $ 40, wrote "The Verge", citing a price chart. In this group are likely to fall expensive phones with a high display resolution. Thus, the high-end model Samsung Galaxy S9 reaches a pixel density of 570 dpi. For devices with a 400 to 500 dpi display, the license fee is reduced to $ 20 – only $ 10, it was said. In some countries, only $ 2.50 would be needed for single devices. The Royalty By-law is expected to come into effect on February 1, 2019.

At least for amounts in the upper end of the range, manufacturers may be tempted to pbad on at least part of the royalties to consumers through price increases. On the other hand speaks stiff competition in Android devices.