Google has moved production of its Pixel phones largely to Vietnam and partially to India over the past several years, but the ongoing US tariff situation is reportedly pushing more production over to India.
The Economic Times reports that Google is actively working to shift production of Pixel devices – especially those headed to the United States – from Vietnam over to India, with discussions ongoing with its partners over the past couple of weeks in particular. The report says:
Alphabet Inc has initiated talks with its local contract manufacturers—Dixon Technologies and Foxconn—to shift a part of the global production of Google Pixel smartphones to India from Vietnam, especially devices headed for the US.
The main focus, it seems, is on localizing more components of Pixel to India, where many of the parts are currently imported from other regions. Parts that Google is apparently aiming to move to India include chargers, batteries, fingerprint sensors, and the enclosure of the device.
The company has also shared plans with the contract manufacturers on localising some components in India, such as enclosures, chargers, fingerprint sensors and batteries, the executives said. Currently, most components for made-in-India Pixel phones are imported.
The ongoing tariff situation levies a 145% tariff on goods from China – though smartphones are excluded, for now – while a 90-day pause pushed back a 46% tariff on goods from Vietnam. India, by comparison, sees a 26% tariff, likely spurring Google’s conversations to shift some of its production efforts.
The report brings out that, as it stands today, Google’s manufacturing partners in India are producing “43,000-45,000” Pixel phones per month, largely focusing on the India market in particular. Prior reporting had suggested Google was planning to export “most” of the Pixel devices made in India to other markets.
More on Google Pixel:
- These old Google Pixel cases are living on as recycled disc golf discs [Video]
- Google is being slightly less explicit with Pixel end-of-life dates
- Google reminds Pixel owners that the handy ‘Palm Timer’ works with the rear camera
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