Here's why you can't buy a Pixel 4 in India

The Pixel 4 series is official, but India isn’t getting its hands on them. Between a marketing blitz and the Pixel 3a series that was designed for emerging markets, the Pixel line up had finally started gaining momentum in India. However, with the launch of the Pixel 4, that comes to a halt.

Google has announced that the phone won’t be making its way to the country. The reasoning for that is simple: One of the highlight features of the Pixel 4 is Motion Sense that allows for hands-off gestures and a new way to unlock the phone. This is a radar-based solution that operates on the 60GHz frequency.

In India, consumer devices are not allowed to use the 60GHz spectrum for civilian use. While there have been proposals to de-license the spectrum, until that is the case, Google will not be able to sell the Pixel 4 in India. In fact, it is not just Google Pixel 4 that is affected by the laws around the use of the spectrum. ASUS is unable to sell the WiGig dock for its ROG Phone 2 in India since that too operates on the 60GHz frequency.

A Google spokesperson told Android Authority:

Google has a wide range of products that we make available in different regions around the world. We determine availability based on a variety of factors, including local trends, and product features. We decided not to make Pixel 4 available in India. We remain committed to our current Pixel phones and look forward to bringing future Pixel devices to India.

If you were excited to check out the Google Pixel 4 in India, your best bet would be to wait for the Pixel 4a series that might just debut without Soli support. When we reviewed the Pixel 3a phones earlier in the year, we found them to be perfectly competent mid-rangers that brought the Pixel camera experience to a much more affordable price point.

As it stands, importing the Pixel 4 might be your best if you are really interested in getting hold of the phone. The Google Pixel 4 is now available for purchase on Amazon.