New Delhi, October 19: Alphabet Inc. has revealed plans to manufacture its Pixel smartphones in India, as announced during the ninth edition of its India-specific event, 'Google for India 2023.' The manufacturing is expected to commence with the Pixel 8 model and the devices are anticipated to hit markets from 2024, according to Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President of Devices and Services at Google.In an official statement posted on X, Google stated, Just announced at #GoogleForIndia: Rick Osterloh @rosterloh spoke about our plan to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India intending to start with the Pixel 8 and expecting these devices to start to roll out in 2024, joining India's 'Make in India' initiative.Pixel smartphones have been identified as a priority market for Google in India, with a commitment to offering the best hardware and software experiences to Indian consumers, as emphasised by Osterloh. The company will initiate manufacturing in India by partnering with both domestic and international manufacturers, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India campaign.Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, expressed his support for the Make In India initiative and the plan to manufacture Pixel smartphones locally. He stated, We shared plans at #GoogleforIndia to manufacture Pixel smartphones locally and expect the first devices to roll out in 2024. We're committed to being a trusted partner in India's digital growth- appreciate the support for Make In India @PMOIndia MEIT Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw.India plays a pivotal role in Google's strategy for the Pixel smartphone lineup, and the company aims to provide its world-class hardware and advanced software capabilities to consumers across the nation. Rick Osterloh recognised India's status as a global manufacturing hub and praised the favorable business environment it offers.Google's strong partnership with India, its history of collaborations with the government, and its contributions to the broader ecosystem were also acknowledged during 'Google for India 2023.' Furthermore, the vibrant Android ecosystem in India, with a wide range of devices catering to various price points, was highlighted. Google's teams in India have consistently invested in collaborating with original equipment manufacturers to deliver innovative smartphone solutions tailored to the Indian user base.A report by the International Data Corporation (IDC) ranks India as the world's third-largest market for premium smartphones, reflecting the country's growing significance in the global smartphone industry. The robust ecosystem has also fueled India's app economy, with Indians downloading over 28 billion apps annually.
