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Google Reportedly Moving High-End Pixel NPI to Vietnam This Year

Nikkei Asia reports an unconfirmed plan driven by tariff shocks plus supply-chain risk.

The Google logo is seen on the Google house at CES 2024, an annual consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 10, 2024. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Overview

  • The report says new product introduction for the Pixel, Pixel Pro and Pixel Fold will run in Vietnam, while Pixel A development remains in China for now.
  • NPI is the early phase that develops and validates production so new designs can scale, demanding hundreds of engineers and significant tooling investment.
  • Google already mass-produces some high-end Pixels in Vietnam and assembles devices in India with Dixon Technologies, which could ease a deeper transition.
  • China’s controls on exporting production equipment and relocating personnel have previously slowed such moves, creating potential execution hurdles.
  • Apple is exploring duplicate iPhone NPIs in India and China as a safeguard, pointing to a wider industry effort to build capability outside China.