Alphabet Inc is considering India for some of its Pixel smartphone production. A new report suggests that some production of Pixel phones will be moved to India from China owing to the recent Covid-19 lockdowns and the rising tension between the US and China. Earlier this year, global supply chains were disrupted when China closed key tech hub Shanghai and other cities due to a surge in Covid-19 cases. And, recently, the United States banned exports of some high-end chips to China, causing tension between the US and China.
Alphabet is yet to confirm the news. However, the report says that Alphabet has sought bids from Indian manufacturers for making 500,000 to 1 million Pixel smartphones. It is about 10-20 per cent of the device’s estimated annual production. Sundar Pichai, the Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet Inc, has previewed the plan but is yet to take a final decision. If approved, India still will have to import components from China. Alphabet is also considering Vietnam as another manufacturing base.
Alphabet’s rival Apple Inc already makes four models, including the iPhone 13, in India through contract manufacturers Foxconn and Wistron. Reportedly, Apple is planning to make its latest model iPhone 14 also in India.
