Home Industry Manufacturing Google looks to India for Pixel smartphone manufacturing Google counts India as a key growth market, where most smartphones run on its Android ecosystem by Reuters October 19, 2023 Image: Google Alphabet Inc’s Google will start manufacturing smartphones in India and its flagship Pixel 8 will be available next year, an executive said on Thursday, as the tech giant joins global companies setting up facilities in the South Asian nation. At a Google for India event, Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of devices and services, said Google will partner with international and domestic manufacturers to produce the smartphones locally. “India is a priority market for Pixel smartphones, and we’re committed to bringing the best of our hardware and underlying built-in software capabilities to people across the country,” Osterloh said. No details on how many smartphones will be manufactured or where factories will be located were immediately available. More updates for Google users The company also announced plans to allow users to book metro tickets directly from the Google maps app. Google, which runs one of the largest payment apps via Google Pay, also said on Thursday it will tie up with an Indian non-bank lender, DMI Finance, for small loans for merchants starting at 15,000 rupees ($180). Google Pay already disburses loans via tie-ups with a number of lenders and will also introduce credit via UPI, a facility recently allowed by the central bank, in partnership with large banks. The stronger push into lending comes at a time when demand for small personal loans in the country is soaring, prompting concern from the Indian central bank. Just announced at #GoogleForIndia: @rosterloh spoke about our plan to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India intending to start with the Pixel 8, and expecting these devices to start to roll out in 2024, joining India’s “Make in India” initiative. For more:… pic.twitter.com/FznOzH8E8C — Google India (@GoogleIndia) October 19, 2023 Google counts India as a key growth market, where most smartphones run on its Android ecosystem. But it also faces business and regulatory challenges there – startups and companies like Disney have legally challenged some of its in-app policies. Google is also fighting several antitrust battles including one related to alleged abuse of its position in the Android market. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the tech giant’s plans to open a global fintech operations centre at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) during a virtual meeting last week with Alphabet’s Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai. Global companies are eyeing India as their next growth driver, including Apple which is projected to account for 7 per cent of all smartphone sales in the country from July to December, according to data from market researcher Counterpoint. Read: Apple iPhone 15: Foxconn begins production in India US memory chip firm Micron Technology recently announced plans to set up its first semiconductor plant in the country. Tags Google India Manufacturing Mobile Phones Pixel You might also like Google, Hub71 partner to launch startup programme in 2025 Renuka Jagtiani on Landmark’s billion-dollar bet on the future 6 major fallouts for Adani Group after US bribery indictment ADNOC awards Dhs720m in manufacturing contracts in the UAE