Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google is gearing up to shift its Pixel smartphone production to India, aiming to commence manufacturing as early as the next quarter, according to reports from the Nikkei newspaper on Thursday.
The tech giant has instructed its suppliers to initiate production of Pixel smartphones in India, part of its ambitions to ship over 10 million Pixel devices globally this year. This move aligns with Google’s strategy to tap into the burgeoning Indian market, where it envisages significant growth potential.
Last October, Google had announced its intention to commence smartphone manufacturing in India, with its flagship Pixel 8 slated for release in 2024. By relocating production to India, Google aims to diversify its supply chain away from China, a move highlighted in the Nikkei report, which cited a source familiar with the matter.
Preparations are already underway, with Google gearing up to equip production lines for its high-end Pixel 8 Pro smartphones in the coming weeks. The actual manufacturing of phones is anticipated to kick off in the April-June quarter, as per multiple sources cited in the report.
While specific details regarding the volume of smartphones slated for production in India remain undisclosed, the report refrains from confirming whether these devices will be exclusively for the Indian market or intended for export as well.
Google’s strategic shift towards manufacturing in India signifies its commitment to leveraging the country’s burgeoning smartphone ecosystem and signifies a significant step in the company’s global supply chain strategy.