Google’s parent company Alphabet could transfer some Pixel phone production from Vietnam to India, as per reports.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is reportedly exploring plans to move a portion of its Pixel smartphone manufacturing from Vietnam to India. This potential shift comes in response to steep US tariffs on Vietnamese imports, which have prompted tech giants to reconsider their supply chain strategies.
Google began producing Pixel phones in India in August 2024, starting with the Pixel 8—the first model to be manufactured in the country. The Pixel 8a also underwent assembly in India, and the upcoming Pixel 9 series will see the standard Pixel 9 models produced there as well.
According to an Economic Times report, Alphabet is now looking to expand Pixel production in India to meet US market demand, reducing reliance on Vietnam following the recent tariff hikes. India Today Tech reached out to Google for comment but has not yet received a response.
The move aligns with a broader trend among tech companies, including Apple, to diversify manufacturing hubs and mitigate risks tied to trade restrictions. Alphabet is said to be in early discussions with its Indian manufacturing partners, Foxconn and Dixon Technologies, to facilitate this transition.
The US had imposed tariffs as high as 46% on Vietnamese imports under the Trump administration, compared to 26% for Indian goods. Although a temporary 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs was announced in April, a baseline 10% duty on Indian imports remains.
These tariffs have significantly impacted smartphone makers. Recently, Apple reportedly airlifted approximately 600 tons (up to 1.5 million units) of iPhones from India to the US to avoid higher tariffs. There were brief exemptions for certain electronics—including smartphones, laptops, and chips—but the US administration clarified that these were only temporary and that tariffs would likely resume within months.
As trade policies evolve, Alphabet’s potential shift to India highlights the growing importance of the country as a key manufacturing hub for global tech giants.