Google has joined the ranks of tech giants like Samsung and Apple, announcing plans to assemble its Pixel series smartphones in India. Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior Vice President of Devices and Services, revealed that the production of Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices will commence in India, with the first batch set to hit the market next year.
Speaking at the company’s annual event in India, Osterloh stated, “We are collaborating with international and domestic partners to manufacture Pixel smartphones locally. This marks the initial step in expanding our local manufacturing capabilities to meet the growing demand for Pixel devices. More importantly, it underscores Google’s deepening commitment to India.”
This decision follows Google’s recent collaboration with HP for the production of Chromebook laptops in India. The move aligns with a broader trend among tech giants aiming to transform India into a significant manufacturing hub for their devices. Samsung established the world’s largest smartphone factory in India five years ago, while Apple’s manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is investing $600 million in infrastructure to produce iPhones and semiconductor chips in the country.
The Indian government has actively incentivized global companies to establish manufacturing facilities in the country, offering financial benefits to attract investment. This shift comes as many companies seek to diversify their manufacturing base, reducing dependency on China—an approach frequently termed “China + 1” by analysts.
Source: techcrunch