\n<\/p>\n
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Alphabet Inc will start manufacturing in India and will partner with international and domestic manufacturers to produce its Pixel smartphones locally, starting with Pixel 8, an executive said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The devices are expected to be rolled out in 2024, Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of devices and services, said at a Google event.<\/p>\n
“India is a priority market for Pixel smartphones, and we\u2019re committed to bringing the best of our hardware and underlying built-in software capabilities to people across the country,” Osterloh said.<\/p>\n
India is aiming to become a manufacturing powerhouse, amid a greater push for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative.<\/p>\n
Apple, which has been touting India as its next big growth driver, is projected to account for 7% of all smartphone sales in the country from July to December, up from 5% in the first half of 2023, according to data from market researcher Counterpoint.<\/p>\n
U.S. memory chip firm Micron Technology recently announced plans to set up its first semiconductor plant in the country.<\/p>\n
(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta and Blassy Boben; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n