Mid-range Pixel phone aimed at emerging markets reportedly in the works
Google has been targeting emerging markets with its Android One and Android Go initiatives, but the company is now reportedly also working on a mid-range Pixel-branded smartphone, aimed at the price-sensitive market segment. According to a report by Economic Times, the new device is expected to launch sometime in July or August of this year.
Google won't be holding back on large-scale marketing and will expand distribution into general trade in India, senior industry executives claim. After all, India has been one of the most important emerging markets in the smartphone industry, and Samsung and Apple have been quick to recognise this with aggressive in-store branding and retail exclusive zones all over the country.
Let's not forget that Google's Nexus lineup was doing quite well in India, but after it was discontinued, OnePlus was quick to steal its thunder. So it makes sense for Google to try and regain some foothold with an appropriately priced, mid-range Pixel phone.
Google executives shared details about the company's consumer products expansion plans in trade meets held in Malaysia, the UK and the US last month. Select Indian retailers also took part in some of the meets, ET reports.
“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,” said a one of the retailers who had participated in the meets.
Google is also set to expand its retail presence in emerging markets by launching its Google Home smart speakers, premium laptop Pixelbook, and intelligent home automation products in select price-sensitive markets.
source: EconomicTimes via AndroidCentral
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