Google to Initiate Pixel Phone Production in India Next Quarter
Google is set to begin production of its Pixel smartphones in India production in the upcoming quarter, Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday.
The move by the Silicon Valley behemoth aims to reduce its dependency on Chinese manufacturing amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, aligning with the Google’s ambitious goal to dispatch over ten million Pixel units within the current year, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans.
Nikkei Asia‘s report further outlines that the manufacturing of the Pixel 8 Pro model is scheduled to commence during the April to June quarter, with the Pixel 8 expected to follow in mid-2024. This development positions Google in direct competition with major players in the Indian smartphone market, including Apple, Samsung, vivo, and Xiaomi.
India’s significance in the global smartphone arena was underscored by Counterpoint Research’s recent findings, which highlighted that India joined the ranks of markets where Apple has surpassed 10 million iPhone sales within a single year. Furthermore, according to Canalys, India’s smartphone sector remained resilient in 2023, with a slight 2% decline in shipments, totaling 148.6 million units.
Samsung led the market in the fourth quarter of 2023, holding a 20% share with 7.6 million units shipped. Xiaomi and vivo followed closely, demonstrating strong market performances.
The trend of diversifying production away from China is not unique to Google. Apple, under the leadership of CEO Tim Cook, has been actively expanding its manufacturing footprint in India, buoyed by the country’s “huge opportunity,” as Cook described following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This shift reflects broader geopolitical considerations and the desire to mitigate supply chain risks.
India has actively courted international tech giants, offering incentives to encourage the establishment of manufacturing facilities within its borders. In a significant push towards bolstering its tech manufacturing ecosystem, India approved proposals from 27 companies, including Dell, HP, and Lenovo, to produce tech hardware under a government-backed incentive scheme last November.
Further details on Google’s venture into Indian manufacturing for its Pixel smartphones can be found in the original Nikkei Asia report.
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