HTC One Google Edition for US in June

Existing HTC One owners may get to choose vanilla Android too.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition

Google shocked the tech world at its I/O 2013 conference earlier this month when it announced Samsung’s new Galaxy S4 phone would go on sale via Google Play, running standard Android Jelly Bean. Now, HTC has joined the party with its flagship HTC One handset.

The Galaxy S4 dropped Samsung’s proprietary TouchWiz interface in favour of stock Android. Similarly, the HTC One runs a skinned version of Jelly Bean called Sense 5 as standard. HTC One Google Edition offers a relatively unfettered Android experience similar to the S4 Google Edition and the LG-produced Google Nexus 4.

HTC has also mooted offering current HTC One owners the chance to replace Sense 5 with a more basic alternative. HTC told The Verge that it’s “examining the best way to support early adopters of the One”. Speculation online is hoping this means a stock Android AOSP ROM.

Google subtly declared war on Android’s renowned fragmentation issues at this year’s I/O. Arranging a partnership deal for the Galaxy S4 was part of that, thanks to the Korean manufacturer’s leading position in the smartphone industry. With more big-name manufacturers like HTC offering basic Android alternatives, 2013 could be the year bloatware becomes endangered.

The HTC One Google Edition launches June 26 in the US for $599 through Google Play, compatible with LTE on AT&T and T-Mobile. We’ll keep you updated if and when these Google Edition phones are announced for markets outside the US.