In a significant move to bolster India’s rapidly growing stature as a global manufacturing hub, Google’s Made-in-India Pixel 8 movement will allow to produce Pixel smartphones locally. The tech giant’s initiative aligns with similar efforts by tech behemoths Apple Inc. and Foxconn, signaling a transformative shift in the tech manufacturing landscape.
At the ninth edition of the annual “Google for India” event, Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior VP for Devices and Services, confirmed that the Pixel 8, launched earlier this month, would be the first to wear the Made-in-India badge. Consumers can anticipate the rollout of these locally-manufactured phones by 2024.
“We see an immense opportunity in introducing Pixel smartphones to a wider Indian audience. Our commitment to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India is unwavering,” said Osterloh, amidst applause from the audience. “Joining hands with both international and domestic manufacturers, we are proud to be a part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.”
Osterloh’s announcement, made in the presence of Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, signifies more than just a strategic business move for Google. It underlines India’s blossoming reputation as a world-class manufacturing hub. This change is drawing global tech giants to establish a more significant footprint in the country.
Apple, for instance, recently shifted gears with its announcement of the iPhone 15 being produced in India, emphasizing the company’s strategy shift from primarily China-made devices. This transition not only highlights India’s robust production capabilities but also indicates Apple’s “China+1” strategy, seeking to balance its manufacturing bases.
Similarly, Foxconn, the Taiwan-based global leader in electronics contract manufacturing, is expanding its Indian presence. With an existing iPhone factory in Tamil Nadu employing 40,000 people, Foxconn’s CEO, Young Liu, acknowledges India’s crucial role in the future of global manufacturing.
These collective initiatives underscore India’s ascension as a formidable player in the tech manufacturing domain. Recent reports indicate that the country’s push for self-reliance or ‘Atmanirbharta’ has propelled it to become the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer globally, following China.
As tech giants converge on India’s thriving tech ecosystem, consumers worldwide can expect more high-quality, Made-in-India tech products in the coming years.