Starting next year, Google will no longer manufacture Pixel devices in China starting next year.
According to Nikkei Asia, the tech giant has reportedly told its suppliers that it will move production of all Pixel phones, watches, and earbuds outside China starting in 2027.
Nikkei Asia reported in January that Google would develop and manufacture its Pixel 11 devices in Vietnam, requiring the company to invest in testing equipment and tooling to verify and fine-tune the production process and to build the phones from scratch. This reportedly gave Google the confidence to build the production processes for its other devices in the country.
A source told the publication that it would be easier for Google to move away from China mainly because it doesn’t officially sell Pixel devices there. It was also added that Google could tap into the smartphone supply chain ecosystem that Samsung had already established in Vietnam.
Google has also apparently told suppliers that it is planning to raise Pixel phone shipments by eight to 10 per cent this year compared to 2025’s 12 million units. Interestingly, the company hopes Pixels in the country will help more people use Gemini’s AI capabilities.
Now, this isn’t the first time similar reports have come out. Back in 2019, Google was planning to shift its Pixel production to Vietnam, with analysts noting that Google’s phone business was small enough that it could easily shift away from China.
Source: Nikkei Asia Via: Engadget
