Google to make Pixel smartphones in India by next quarter, Nikkei reports

Alphabet Inc’s Google has told suppliers to start making its Pixel smartphones in India as early as next quarter as part of its plan to ship more than 10 million Pixel phones this year, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday.

Google will start manufacturing smartphones in India, with its flagship Pixel 8 available in 2024, it said last October, as it focuses more on the key growth market.

The move will also help Google diversify its supply chain outside of China, the Nikkei report said, citing a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

The tech giant will prepare production lines for its high-end Pixel 8 Pro smartphones in the coming weeks and start manufacturing the phones in April-June, the report added, citing multiple sources.

The report did not say how many phones Google plans to make in India, or whether the phones will be for sale in the country or for export.

Google did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.