Google will soon make Pixel 8 in India, finds local partner
Google has finally joined the “Make in India” initiative and will soon start manufacturing its latest Pixel 8 series in India. The tech giant has partnered with local contract manufacturer Dixon Technologies to produce its premium Pixel 8 smartphones. Reportedly, the first batch of these made-in-India devices is expected to hit the market by September, with trial production already underway.
SOURCE: India Today
Until now, Google was the only major global smartphone brand that hadn’t joined India’s Make-in-India drive. However, citing some close industry insiders, a report by the Economic Times revealed that Dixon Technologies is gearing up for a production capacity of 100,000 units per month, with plans to export 25-30 Â per cent of these devices. This move aligns with Google’s strategy to regain market share in India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market, where the Pixel 8 enjoys a dominant position, accounting for nearly 80 Â per cent of all Pixel sales.
Previously manufactured in Asian nations like China and Vietnam, Pixel devices will now benefit from India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile phones. This scheme, along with Dixon’s competitive production prices, is believed to be a key factor in Google’s decision. The partnership will leverage Padget Electronics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dixon Technologies, which recently signed an agreement with Taiwan’s Compal Electronics, a global manufacturing partner for Google products. Padget Electronics will be responsible for manufacturing the Pixel devices.
However, no official statement has been released by Alphabet, Dixon, and Compal on the related matter.
Meanwhile, looking at the phone, the Google Pixel 8 boasts a premium build with a 6.2-inch OLED display offering a crisp 1080×2400 resolution for vivid visuals. Powering this device is the Google Tensor G3 processor, ensuring smooth performance, and it’s backed by 8GB of RAM for efficient multitasking. On the back, there is a dual camera system featuring a 50-megapixel main sensor for stunning photos and an ultrawide sensor for capturing expansive scenes. All this is fueled by a long-lasting 4575mAh battery.
While the Pixel 8 is currently the most powerful smartphone from Google, this year Google is gearing up to launch its next-gen Pixel series, which might arrive in four variants: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The release date is expected to be early October. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL might have bigger screens, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is rumoured to be the foldable version. The Tensor G4 is expected to be the new processor and might come with an improved modem for faster and more power-efficient 5G networks. The camera might also be upgraded, but details are still unclear. The price is expected to start from $699 for the Pixel 9 and go up to $1799 for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
