Google to shift all Pixel device production out of China by 2027

Google has informed suppliers that beginning in 2027, it will produce all Pixel smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds outside China, focusing on Vietnam and India instead ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}. This decision follows Google's successful development and initial production of high-end Pixel phones in Vietnam during 2026, which boosted its confidence to fully relocate manufacturing ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

Google’s Pixel phones are not sold in China, unlike Apple’s iPhones. An anonymous source noted that "compared to Apple, Google has no burden of leaving China since Pixel phones are not sold in the Chinese market," which eases the transition ^[2]. The Vietnamese production benefits from leveraging the smartphone supply chain ecosystem established by Samsung in the country, allowing Google to integrate efficiently ^{[2, 3, 4, 5]}.

To replace China, Google aims to expand its manufacturing capacity in Vietnam and India ^{[2, 3, 4, 5]}. The company plans to increase Pixel phone shipments by 8% to 10% in 2026 over 2025’s roughly 12 million units, reflecting growth ambitions ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}. A supplier executive said Google’s smaller Pixel user base still leaves "room for significant growth," and Google’s large cloud computing business helps absorb rising memory chip costs. The executive added that if Apple raises iPhone prices, "Google could gain market share in the US, Japan and Europe" ^[5].

Besides smartphones, Google bundles its smartphone memory chip orders with cloud computing chip purchases to negotiate better prices amid increasing memory costs ^{[1, 2, 4, 5]}. The company recently launched Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold flagship devices starting at $899 for 256GB models ^{[2, 4]}.

Google plans for Pixel phones to become a key device for accessing AI applications like Gemini, reflecting the tech giant’s broader strategy to integrate hardware with AI services ^{[2, 5]}.

The full transition of Pixel device production out of China is set to complete by 2027, with expanded manufacturing capacity in Vietnam and India scheduled to support this shift.