Google Starts Shipping Locally Made Pixel 8 in India Ahead of Pixel 9 Launch

A Big Move Towards Local Manufacturing

Google has announced the rollout of its locally produced Pixel 8 devices in India, nearly 10 months after revealing its domestic manufacturing plans for the devices. This move is seen as a significant step towards expanding Google’s presence in the Indian smartphone market and leveraging the country’s growing manufacturing footprint.

A Brief History of Google’s Domestic Manufacturing Plans

In October, Google announced plans to assemble the Pixel smartphone lineup in India to tap into the world’s second-largest smartphone market after China. The move was aimed at reducing dependence on imports and increasing the brand’s local presence.

The First Batch of Made-in-India Pixel 8 Devices Rolls Out

On Monday, Google confirmed that the first batch of its locally produced Pixel 8 devices had started rolling off the production lines. According to sources, Compal, a global manufacturing partner, has partnered with India’s Dixon Technologies to assemble the Pixel 8 models in the country.

A Look at Google’s Local Manufacturing Partners

While Google hasn’t disclosed its local manufacturing partners yet, it is believed that Compal and Dixon Technologies are working together to produce the Pixel 8 devices. This partnership is seen as a significant move towards promoting domestic production in India.

New Delhi’s Push for Domestic Production

The Indian government has been actively pushing global electronics brands to set up local manufacturing units in the country. The government has allocated billions of dollars in incentives to offer cashbacks and subsidies to companies taking the local production route.

A Growing Market for Mobile Phones

As per industry data, 99.2% of domestic mobile phone demand is already met by locally manufactured devices. The country has seen a significant increase in local production of mobile phones, with exports growing from $2.25 billion in 2014-15 to $50 billion worth in the financial year 2023-24.

Other Players in the Indian Smartphone Market

Alongside Google, other major players like Apple and Samsung produce their devices in India for both domestic sales and export purposes. Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Oppo also have domestic production units in the country.

The Future of Pixel Devices in India

Google is expected to unveil the Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel Watch 3, at its upcoming hardware event on Tuesday. The company will likely discuss its Gemini AI upgrades specifically for mobile devices, which are expected to be a major feature of the new Pixel series.

What This Means for the Indian Smartphone Market

The rollout of Made-in-India Pixel 8 devices is seen as a significant move by Google to increase its presence in the Indian smartphone market. With local manufacturing gaining momentum, we can expect more global electronics brands to follow suit and set up production units in India.

A New Era for Domestic Manufacturing in India

As the Indian government continues to push for domestic production, companies like Google are taking steps towards leveraging the country’s growing manufacturing footprint. The rollout of Made-in-India Pixel 8 devices marks a significant milestone in this journey.

The Future of Hardware Unveiling at CES 2025

Google is hosting its hardware event on Tuesday, where it will likely unveil the new Pixel series and discuss Gemini AI upgrades specifically for mobile devices. Stay tuned for more updates from CES 2025!

About the Author

Jagmeet Singh is a tech journalist covering startups, tech policy-related updates, and other major tech-centric developments from India. You can reach out to him at mail[at]journalistjagmeet[dot]com.

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