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 manufacturing initiative would commence with the production of the upcoming Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices, aiming to meet the rising local demand for Google’s flagship smartphones.
“We are partnering with both international and domestic firms to initiate local production of Pixel smartphones. This step signifies our commitment to India, addressing not only the local demand for Pixel devices but also furthering Google’s manufacturing footprint in the country,” Osterloh stated.
This development aligns with Google’s recent collaboration with HP for manufacturing Chromebook laptops in India. Google’s decision echoes similar strategies employed by tech giants. Samsung established the world’s largest smartphone factory in India five years ago, while Apple’s manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is investing heavily in Indian infrastructure to produce iPhones and semiconductor chips.
India’s proactive approach, offering enticing financial incentives, has attracted global companies seeking to diversify their manufacturing bases, a strategy often referred to as “China + 1.” Google’s move not only illustrates India’s growing significance in the global tech manufacturing landscape but also aligns with the industry trend of reducing reliance on China for production, reflecting a broader industry shift.