Google, which is the most recent member of India’s “Make in India” campaign is ready to start producing its new Pixel 8 line in the country as well. Google is partnering with a homegrown contract manufacturer, Dixon Technologies to locally manufacture its top-of-the-line Pixel 8 series smartphones. The initial production trials have already begun and the first batch of made-in-India devices are expected to be launched in the market by September.
Google Manufacturing Pixel 8 in India
Earlier, Google was the only major smartphone brand to not take part in the Make-in-India initiative. A report by the Economic Times states industry insiders have told the publication that Dixon Technologies plans a monthly production capacity of 100,000 units but expects to export 25-30 percent of them.
This strategy also dovetails with Google’s aspirations to recapture more of the market in India, a nation where its Pixel 8 has developed an insurmountable lead as the largest smartphone vendor in the world’s second-largest smartphone territory — capturing around four-fifths of all Pixels that are sold.
Though the Pixel phones are not largely produced in Asian countries like China and Vietnam, Google still can take advantage of India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) plan for mobile phones. That, plus Dixon’s competitive production costs — have been named a key factor in the reasoning for Google’s move. Leveraging Padget Electronics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dixon Technologies, the partnership will tap into Taiwan’s Compal Electronics, a global manufacturing partner for Google products. Padget Electronics is tasked with Pixel device manufacturing.
Speaking of which, the Pixel 8 looks every bit like a premium device also including a 6.2-inch OLED display with an eye-watering 1080×2400 resolution. It is powered by the Google Tensor G3 processor paired with 8 GB of RAM for smooth functioning and efficient multitasking. The dual camera setup consists of a 50-megapixel main sensor and an ultrawide, enabling great photos as well. · Powering the Pixel 8’s operations is a massive 4575mAh battery
Looking further ahead, Google is expected to announce its next-gen Pixel series in four versions: Pixel 9 and a larger model known as the Pixel 9 Pro XL, along with a third high-end variant called the Pixel 9 Pro. Let’s not forget about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, scheduled for an early October release, these devices might feature enhancements such as larger screens, the Tensor G4 processor, and improvements to the camera and modem for faster 5G connectivity. Prices are estimated to range from $699 for the Pixel 9 to $1799 for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
