The tech giant’s increasingly popular series of well-regarded smartphones appears set to make an official debut in Malaysia, but time will tell.

The first Google Pixel smartphone, released in 2016, marked the beginning of the Pixel series as the de facto successor to the Google Nexus series of devices. Despite the incrementally growing global popularity of the Pixel line, none of these models have been officially available in Malaysia. (Gray market options exist, naturally, but although these are genuine and legitimate products, they were not intended by the manufacturer to be sold here, and therefore enjoy no after-sales support from Google.)

Singapore has for years been the only country in Southeast Asia where the Google Pixel line has been made officially available. The series is now on its eighth iteration, with the Pixel 8 Pro considered the flagship smartphone of the range. Locally published reviews have often praised the Google series of phones while simultaneously lamenting the lack of official availability in the Malaysian market.

However, Malaysia’s long wait for Pixel smartphones might finally be over this year. Local tech pundit Xavier Naxa has highlighted that gadget retailer Urban Republic has added a new sub-section for Google smartphones on its online store, although it is currently empty.

Local news and tech website Soya Cincau reports that upon contacting Urban Republic’s customer service, it was confirmed that the retailer will indeed bring Google Pixel smartphones to Malaysia. However, the release date for the Pixel models remains unspecified. Additionally, there is no confirmation yet if other Pixel devices such as the Pixel Buds and Pixel Watch will also be available.

The confirmation from Urban Republic leads to speculation about Google’s plans, and hopes among tech enthusiasts that the news is accurate. It is possible that Google is preparing to announce new markets for its smartphones at the upcoming Pixel 9 Series launch event. Pixel fans will have to wait until August 14 at 1:00am Malaysian time for a definitive answer.

The Google Pixel series has earned widespread acclaim for its excellent camera performance and clean Android software experience, with the latest iterations, especially from the 6 series onward, becoming increasingly popular. Pixel’s potential entry into the Malaysian market could be a significant move for Google, expanding its reach and offering more consumers access to its highly-regarded devices.