Google announced that it will start manufacturing its Pixel smartphones in India from 2024, joining the “Make in India” initiative. The company said that India is a priority market for its Pixel devices and that it wants to bring its hardware and software experiences to the country.
The announcement was made at the ‘Google for India 2023’, the ninth edition of its annual India-specific event. Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of devices and services, Google, said that the company will partner with domestic and international manufacturers to produce Pixel phones locally.
This is a big step for Google and India, as it shows the company’s commitment to the Indian market and its potential. It also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global manufacturing hub and creating jobs and opportunities for the people.
Pixel 8 to be the first made-in-India phone
The first Pixel phone to be made in India will be the Pixel 8, which is expected to roll out in markets from 2024. The Pixel 8 is the latest flagship device from Google, which features a 6.4-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 888 processor, a 50-megapixel main camera, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera.
The Pixel 8 also comes with exclusive software features such as Google Assistant, Google Lens, Google Photos, and Google Camera. The phone runs on Android 12, which is the latest version of the operating system that offers a personalized and secure experience.
The Pixel 8 will compete with other premium smartphones in the Indian market, such as the iPhone 13, Samsung Galaxy S22, and OnePlus 10. The Pixel 8 is expected to be priced at around Rs. 70,000, which is similar to its global price.
India’s smartphone market and opportunities
India is one of the largest and fastest-growing smartphone markets in the world, with over 500 million users and an annual growth rate of over 10%. According to a report by International Data Corporation (IDC), India ranks third in the world for premium smartphones, which are priced above Rs. 30,000.
The report also states that the premium smartphone segment grew by 143% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2023, driven by strong demand and supply. The top three brands in this segment were Apple, OnePlus, and Samsung, with a combined market share of over 80%.
Google sees India as a strategic market for its Pixel smartphones, as it aims to capture a slice of the premium segment and offer its unique hardware and software capabilities to the consumers. The company also hopes to leverage its ecosystem of services such as Google Search, YouTube, Gmail, Maps, and Play Store, which are widely used in India.
Google has been investing in India’s digital growth for several years, through initiatives such as Google Pay, Google for Education, Google for Startups, Google Cloud, and Internet Saathi. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, said that he appreciates the support for Make In India from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
