Google offers one of the best Android experiences with its Pixel phones, however, in India, the company has struggled to drive sales unlike Apple’s iPhones. One of the reasons why Indian users are hesitant to buy Pixel phones is the unavailability of dedicated service centres. However, Google is now finally addressing this issue. With the launch of the Pixel 9 series on Tuesday, Google has announced the opening of three company-run service centres dedicated to its Pixel devices in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

The first two Pixel service centres are open in Delhi and Bengaluru, which are now open while the third centre in Mumbai is coming soon, which will serve a wide range of customers. Google says that these walk-in centres are designed to provide top-level customer service to Pixel users by offering a one-stop solution for all Pixel-related issues, including repairs, device replacement, and resolution of technical queries.

What makes these centres different is that they are able to provide same-day service in many cases, significantly reducing downtime for customers, Google explained. The service centres are equipped to handle a wide range of Google products available in India, including Pixel phones, Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds, as well as Fitbit and Nest devices. Notably, Google Service Centres in India will provide service for all devices available in the country, regardless of where they were purchased from and whether they are under warranty or not, ensuring a wide scope of support for all Google device owners.

The new Pixel service centers are being operated in collaboration with Flipkart’s service arm F1 Info Solutions & Services Pvt Ltd. While the partnership isn’t new – F1 Info Solutions has been working with Google to manage over 100 multi-brand service centers across India – the new Google-operated centers represent a unique, Google-owned service model that ensures users get device care directly from the company.

Apart from service centres, Google is also expanding retail availability. Google has announced that starting August 22, the newly launched Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available for purchase not only via Flipkart but also at select Croma and Reliance retail outlets across the country. This expansion will cover around 150 stores in over 15 cities.

Meanwhile, Google has also announced price cuts on previous generations of Pixel phones. The Pixel 8 series, which includes the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a, has seen price cuts across all storage variants. For instance, the Pixel 8 128GB model, which was originally priced at Rs 75,999, is now available at Rs 71,999, while the Pixel 8 Pro 128GB price has been dropped from Rs 106,999 to Rs 99,999. Similar cuts have been applied to other models in the series as well, making them more attractive to budget-conscious consumers.