More affordable Pixel said to be in the works already

Apr 2, 2018 08:25 GMT  ·  By

Google is looking into ways to expand its smartphone portfolio, and one of the methods that the company could embrace is launching a more affordable Pixel-branded phone for emerging markets.

This is still in the rumor stage, but the Economic Times reports that Google is specifically targeting markets like India where a mid-range Pixel could sell in high numbers, though there’s a good chance the same model could make it to other countries as well.

There are no specifics available at this point, but if the said report is true, Google might already be in an advanced development stage of the new mid-range Pixel. The launch could take place in July or August, the source says, according to four unnamed senior industry executives.

Aggressive strategy for India

The more affordable Pixel could be just a part of Google’s aggressive push in India, as the company is also planning to launch smart speakers in the country, as well as the latest-generation Pixelbook. Google is specifically going after consumers, and firm executives recently met with top retailers in several emerging markets like India in March.

“Google is excited about the expansion of the consumer products business in India with the advent of the cheap 4G internet led by Reliance Jio and other operators which it says will help to realise maximum potential of these products,” one retailer was quoted as saying by the cited source.

Google is believed to be working even on expanding the distribution network in India, where sales of the company’s products have been on the rise in the last couple of years.

“Google will also do in-store branding and signage in selected stores, and set up exclusive zones with specially designed fixtures like Apple,” one of the executives explained.

No specifics were provided on the mid-range Pixel, and more information will probably surface soon, so for the time being a healthy dose of skepticism is recommended until more evidence in this regard leaks.