Google To Manufacture Pixel Smartphones In India

Google has revealed its plan to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India and expects these devices to be rolled out in 2024.

“We intend to start with the Pixel 8, and will partner with international and domestic manufacturers to produce Pixel smartphones locally,” Google said today.

In the Google For India 2023 event, the company said the country is a priority market for Pixel smartphones and it is committed to bringing the best of its hardware and underlying built-in software capabilities to people across the country.

The development comes at a time when India is slowly but steadily establishing itself as a manufacturing hub for smartphones, with the likes of Apple and Samsung already manufacturing their devices in the country.

Google said that with the help of its local partner, F1 Info Solutions, the company now has 28 Pixel service network centres in 27 cities across India. It is now looking to expand this footprint.

A report emerged earlier this year that Google was exploring deals with manufacturers like Lava International, Dixon Technologies, and Foxconn’s Indian subsidiary to manufacture its upcoming Pixel smartphones in the country.

Meanwhile, Apple is now the largest smartphone exporter from India, manufacturing various iPhone models, including the latest iPhone 15.

In Q2 2023, Apple accounted for 49% of the country’s total 12 Mn smartphone shipments, followed by Samsung.

The company is aiming to grow India’s smartphone production by over 5X from the current levels to around $40 Bn by 2027.

Besides the smartphone manufacturing announcement, Google announced multiple other plans to enhance tech capabilities for Indian users, including improving generative AI capabilities in Google Search.

Earlier this month, Google also began manufacturing Chromebooks in India, in partnership with HP, as part of its plans to ramp up electronics production in the country.