Google has commenced direct online sales of its popular hardware devices, including Pixel phones, watches, and earbuds, in India, a strategic move ahead of the anticipated launch of its first physical retail stores in the South Asian nation.
The Alphabet (GOOGL.O)-owned company announced that for the first time, Indian users can make direct online purchases on the official Google Store website. Previously, Google’s products were available in India only through authorized retailers and the Walmart-backed e-commerce platform Flipkart.
This development positions Google to more directly compete with its larger rival in the premium smartphone segment, Apple (AAPL.O), which already offers direct sales to Indian consumers and operates its own retail stores in Mumbai and New Delhi, with further expansion planned.
Reuters reported in February that Google is nearing a decision on locations in India for its inaugural physical retail stores outside the United States. By establishing physical stores, Google aims to replicate the successful retail strategy employed by Apple Inc., which has amassed billions of dollars over the past two decades by showcasing its own products in its extensive network of over 500 stores worldwide.
In India, Pixel phones range in price from approximately $360 to $1,900 for top-end models, while Apple’s iPhones are priced from about $520 to $2,100. Google has also initiated the manufacturing of Pixel smartphones within India.
According to estimates from research group Counterpoint, in 2024, Apple dominated the local market for premium phones (priced above $520) with a roughly 55% share, significantly outpacing Pixel’s 2% share. The rapidly expanding Indian market currently boasts approximately 712 million smartphone users.
