At the Google for India 2023 event, the tech giant unveiled plans to manufacture Pixel smartphones in the country. Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of devices and services, announced that the Pixel 8 series would be manufactured in India, although specific timelines were not provided.
According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Google aims to commence production of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones in India by the second quarter of 2024, with a potential launch in the April-June quarter. The company has instructed suppliers to initiate production as early as the next quarter.
Seeking to diversify its supply chain away from China, Google aims to capitalize on India's burgeoning smartphone market. This move aligns with a broader industry trend, with tech companies adopting a 'China+2' strategy to enhance supply chain resilience by exploring alternative manufacturing locations.
Google joins other major tech players like Apple, Samsung, Oppo, and Xiaomi in leveraging India as a key manufacturing hub. These companies have been instrumental in bringing assembly and component suppliers to India in recent years.
In 2023, Google achieved a significant milestone by shipping approximately 10 million Pixel units amidst a global economic slowdown. With an ambitious target of shipping another 10 million units in 2024, the company is gearing up for local production in India, starting with a small volume.
Preparations for production will initially focus on the flagship Pixel 8 Pro in southern India, with the 'made in India' Pixel 8 Pro expected to hit shelves in the April-June quarter. Subsequently, production of the Pixel 8 will commence in northern India around the middle of the year, according to multiple sources familiar with the plan.
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