Google Pixel Phone To Be “Made In India” Country Is Viable Alternative To China: Report

Google could be the latest tech giant looking at India for manufacturing its premium Pixel series smartphones. The search giant has already started scouting for reliable production partners, claims a new report.

Apple has been actively shifting its iPhone production to India, and it has been a surprisingly peaceful and successful transition. Google could soon replicate Apple's strategy. The company may soon finalize its primary suppliers and look for manufacturers in India.

Google In Talks With Foxconn's India Branch And Its Production Partners

According to a new report from Bloomberg News, Google is actively looking to move some of its Pixel smartphone production to India. The search giant is not betting big yet and could gradually shift part of the production and that too in phases.

The report, citing people familiar with the matter, claims that Google is in talks with Foxconn's India branch, Bharat FIH, Dixon Technologies, and Lava International. Either a single one or a combination of these companies may soon become production partners.

Needless to say, these are preliminary discussions, and hence, nothing has been finalized. Moreover, Google has a reliable manufacturing and supply-chain setup for its Pixel Phone.

However, smartphone manufacturers are increasingly considering multiple manufacturing hubs and creating diverse supply chains to mitigate potential risks and unforeseen disruptions, especially in China.

Why Are Smartphone Manufacturers Moving To India And Away From China?

Apple has shifted some portion of its iPhone production to India. However, it has been assembling its iPhones in the country since 2017.

Several reports suggest Apple may make 25 percent of all iPhone devices in India by 2025. This number could double by 2027. Needless to say, these are big numbers.

Similarly, Google and others would also move their production to India as the country has fast-tracked processes. India has been ensuring there are readily-available resources and manpower to kickstart production without delay.

Production in China has been struggling. Specifically speaking, smartphone production has taken a hit due to the negative impact of COVID and continued strict restriction policies. China is trying to ease regulations and recreate a favorable ecosystem, but some reports suggest it is proving difficult.