Google has announced plans to assemble its Pixel series smartphones in India. Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior Vice President of Devices and Services, revealed at the company’s annual event in India that the production of Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices will commence in India. These locally manufactured smartphones are set to hit the market from next year, marking a pivotal step in Google’s commitment to the Indian market.
Osterloh stated, “We are collaborating with both international and domestic partners to locally produce Pixel smartphones. This marks our initial effort to expand manufacturing operations here, meeting the rising local demand for Pixel devices. More importantly, it signifies Google’s profound commitment to India’s dynamic tech landscape.”
Google’s decision follows its recent partnership with HP, focusing on the production of Chromebook laptops within India. This move aligns with a broader trend, as major tech companies actively explore India as a key manufacturing hub. Samsung, for instance, established the world’s largest smartphone factory in India five years ago. Apple’s manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is investing a substantial $600 million in infrastructure to produce iPhones and semiconductor chips within India.
New Delhi’s proactive approach includes offering financial incentives to attract global tech companies, promoting the establishment of manufacturing facilities. This strategic shift comes amid a broader trend among companies seeking to diversify their manufacturing bases, reducing dependence on China, a strategy often referred to by analysts as “China + 1.”
Source: techcrunch