Google Announces Plans To Manufacture Pixel 8 In India،
Over the past few years, major smartphone brands like Xiaomi and Apple have set up their manufacturing units in India, which has had a positive impact on their retail network, product availability and pricing. Following in the footsteps of major players in the industry, Google has announced plans to manufacture Pixel phones in the country, starting with the Pixel 8 series released earlier this month.
Google to manufacture Pixel 8 in India
On Thursday, Google announced that it will start manufacturing its Pixel phones in India, starting with the latest Pixel 8. The company announced its vision to bring together Tensor-powered Pixel phones at the Google for India 2023 event. a major paradigm shift for the company, as previously the Cupertino-based tech giant relied on southern China and, more recently, Vietnam to produce smartphones.
Will this affect the price of Pixel phones in the country?
The company’s senior vice president for devices and services, Rick Osterloh, revealed plans to partner with domestic manufacturers to manufacture the Pixel phones locally in India. This would not only improve the availability of phones in the country but could also bring down prices as it would eliminate import duties. The current flagships, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, are the company’s most premium smartphones to date, with a hefty price tag.
Google could also set foot in the offline retail sector
However, Google did not discuss the price cuts at this event, so readers should take this information with a grain of salt. However, once Google starts manufacturing the Pixel phones in India, it could also partner with offline retailers, a market that remains unexplored for the company. During the event, Google also claimed that India is one of its priority markets. Going forward, Indian customers should expect to see more products and ranges coming to the country.
Indian Pixel 8 units are expected to be available for purchase in 2024. Additionally, the company’s plans for the country also include better product experiences through AI, expanding the reach of formal credit to merchants and to consumers via Google Pay. Google Cloud is also collaborating with Bhashini at the country’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to launch a Center of Excellence on Generative AI and Language Inclusivity.
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