Google is set to produce its flagship Pixel 8 smartphone in India. The manufacturing will be achieved by partnering with foreign and local manufacturers starting next year (the year 2024).

• The Pixel 8 Smartphones are to be manufactured by Google in India.
• Collaboration or joint venture with international and local producers.
• Projected rollout in 2024

However, it remains doubtful if the Pixel 8 would be less costly in India due to local production because some elements favor its happening. Secondly, India’s smartphone market is crowded with various brands with reasonable pricing. They may force Google to reduce the price of the Pixel 8 for them to remain competitive. Moreover, Google has already launched the Pixel A series of products in India as cost-competitive models of the upper-model Pixel devices. The cost of such equipment should be competitive with other manufacturers in India, as implied by how Google is pricing its own devices.
 

Nevertheless, certain elements indicate that the Pixel 8 will not significantly lower prices in India. To start with, while Apple has been making iPhones in India for a number of years already, the value of this kind of equipment hasn’t significantly changed yet. Therefore, it implies that local production does not necessarily attract low prices for consumers. In addition, Google has communicated its resolve to offer a premium user experience through the Pixel devices. This means that probably, Google cannot afford to lose costs on quality or features for the sake of reducing the prices.

In general, it remains impossible to ascertain without doubt if Pixel 8 will be less costly than before in India due to local production. Nevertheless, the competitive environment of the Indian smartphone industry and Google’s intention for lower pricing imply that this can be achieved.