Google is considering moving some production of its Pixel smartphone line to India, according to a report, the latest in a series of ambitious moves by the handset maker to assemble phones locally in the world’s second-largest market. The Android maker has put out a tender to manufacturers to assemble 500,000 to 1 million Pixel smartphones, The Information reported Monday.
The proposed bid represents 10 to 20 percent of Pixel’s entire annual production, the report added.
If Google moves forward with the plan, it shows the company’s growing commitment to its smartphone business. It could also help the company boost sales of Pixel smartphones in the country, which is the company’s largest user market and where it has committed $10 billion over several years.
Google has not launched any flagship versions of its phones in the past three years, focusing instead on serving the market with its mid-range A-series phones.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Like Apple, Google has been shifting some of its manufacturing efforts outside of China. Apple began assembling iPhones in India five years ago and is expected to begin producing the iPhone 14 line in India later this year.
