In a significant development for India’s ambitions of becoming a global manufacturing hub, Google announced on October 19 its plans to manufacture Pixel smartphones in the country. This announcement came just a fortnight after Google unveiled its latest line of Pixel smartphones.

A Milestone for India’s Manufacturing Hub Aspirations

Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior Vice President of Devices & Services, revealed that the Pixel 8 would be the first device to be manufactured in India, with the initial devices expected to roll out in 2024. Google is collaborating with both domestic and international manufacturers to realize this initiative.

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, commented on the development, expressing that they have urged Google to commence the manufacturing of Tensor chips for Pixel phones in an Indian fabrication facility within the next three years. Additionally, they have encouraged Google to bring its supply chain partners to India, further boosting the nation’s manufacturing ecosystem.

This decision by Google mirrors Apple’s endeavors to enhance local production of its flagship iPhone devices within India. The Indian government has set ambitious goals for the country to become a global electronics manufacturing hub, with targets of producing $300 billion in electronic products by 2025-26.

Google’s investment in local manufacturing of Pixel smartphones not only aligns with India’s aspirations but also promises to bolster the nation’s technology ecosystem and contribute significantly to its economic growth. As the first Pixel 8 devices make their way into production on Indian soil, it marks a milestone in India’s path toward becoming a key player in global manufacturing.