Google to flag off Make in India with latest Pixels in '24

Google's decision to make its smartphones in India follows the launch of local production of Chromebooks

- Gulveen Aulakh & Shouvik Das

Google on Thursday said it will start manufacturing its latest Pixel phones in India from next year, becoming the latest global phone maker after Apple and Samsung to build its flagship devices in the country.

The technology giant is keen to support the Make in India initiative and plans to make all its products in India and export them over time, said Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice-president and head of devices and services. The company is already in talks to choose a contract manufacturer, and a decision is likely in the next few months.

“We manufacture around the world and have a diversified manufacturing footprint that we’re expanding into India. We’re starting with the Pixel 8 series and eventually intend to make our entire portfolio here in India. Smartphones now are no longer about just one device. It’s about an ecosystem, and we plan to make all of it available here," Osterloh said at the ninth edition of the Google for India event.

Google’s decision to make its smartphones locally follows the start of its Chromebook production in India earlier this month in partnership with HP.

“Our intent is to manufacture locally for the domestic market, but we’re also looking at expanding that by exporting from here. India is also an enormous market for smartphones, and we want to make sure that we’re as competitive as we can be by making phones locally. This is also an opportunity to diversify our supply chain further," he added.