Made in India Google Pixel 8 now rolling out to markets

If you buy a brand-new Google Pixel 8 anytime soon, chances are the handset is made in India. Google has announced that the first Made in India Pixel 8 devices have begun rolling out to markets. The development comes more than six months after Google’s announcement at last year’s Google For India event. With this achievement, Google has become the latest major smartphone company to manufacture smartphones in India, giving a boost to the government’s Make in India initiative, already supported by Apple and Samsung.

“Excited to announce that the first of our Made in India Google #Pixel8 devices have started rolling off the production lines,” said Google India in a post on X. The account also thanked Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information, who was present at the announcement last year.

Excited to announce that the first of our Made in India Google #Pixel8 devices have started rolling off the production lines 🥹

Grateful for the partnership with Hon’ble Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw as we look forward to bringing the #TeamPixel experience to people across India 🤝 pic.twitter.com/6nKvvcyFkj

— Google India (@GoogleIndia) August 12, 2024

The Made in India Pixel 8 is the same as those manufactured elsewhere. The specifications and colourways are also identical. However, Google has not said whether or not the Pixel 8 devices made in India will be sold at a lower price than those imported units. For reference, when Apple began assembling iPhone units in India, the price did not drop until customs duty was reduced on imported parts last month. Pixel 8’s price could drop only if Google waives the additional duty that it may no longer have to pay the government for imported parts.

Google’s announcement comes hours before the launch of the Pixel 9 series. As many as four devices are expected this time: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also coming to India, marking the launch of the first Google foldable phone. It is the third foldable device from Google. You can also expect Google to launch a new pair of truly wireless earbuds, likely the Pixel Buds 2 Pro. But Google announcing that the Pixel 9 series will be manufactured in India anytime soon is, however, unlikely.