Alphabet Inc’s Google is taking strategic steps to enhance its market presence and diversify its supply chain, as per a report from the Nikkei newspaper on Thursday. The company has instructed suppliers to begin production of its Pixel smartphones in India by the upcoming quarter at the earliest.
Last October, Google announced its intentions to manufacture smartphones in India, with the flagship Pixel 8 anticipated to be available in 2024. This shift is part of Google’s focused strategy to concentrate on a pivotal growth market and decrease its dependence on China for its supply chain.
As outlined in the report, production lines for the high-end Pixel 8 Pro smartphones are set to commence in the upcoming weeks. The actual manufacturing of these phones is scheduled to start in the April-June quarter, with a target of producing over 10 million Pixel units this year.
Google’s decision to localize production in India aims to tap into the country’s extensive consumer base and capitalize on the favorable business climate. This move is anticipated to streamline logistics and potentially result in cost savings for the tech giant.
Although the report did not specify the exact quantity of phones Google plans to manufacture in India, it remains uncertain whether the devices will be exclusively for the domestic market or also targeted for export. Nonetheless, Google’s choice to transfer production to India is in line with broader industry trends, with major tech players diversifying their manufacturing locations to mitigate supply chain risks.
With the April-June quarter drawing near, industry analysts will be closely monitoring Google’s manufacturing progress and its implications on the availability and pricing of Pixel smartphones in both domestic and international markets.
In addition to its manufacturing developments, Google has unveiled an upgraded iteration of its artificial intelligence model, known as Gemini 1.5 Pro. This advanced model is engineered to handle larger volumes of text and video compared to its competitors, representing a notable stride forward in the realm of generative AI.
The launch of Gemini 1.5 Pro signifies Google’s ongoing efforts to demonstrate its prowess in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
