Google to Exit China in 2027, Move Pixel Production to India and Vietnam

Changes are afoot for Google next year, as reports claim the company is preparing to move all Pixel production out of China.

Earlier this morning (Aug 18), Nikkei Asia reported that Google "plans to stop" producing its Pixel products in China. It has been reported that Google plans to move its Pixel production to India and Vietnam.

The latest flagship was produced in Vietnam, and that's supposedly given Google the confidence boost it needed to prepare the complete shift. Google is shifting its entire range of Pixel products, including smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds, to a new manufacturer. Information obtained suggests that Google is actively chasing more Pixel shipment momentum in 2026 off the back of the Pixel 11 series.

The publication highlights Google's increased "expectations," with Pixel shipments forecast to rise to around 13 million units for 2026. The company shipped roughly 12 million Pixel units in 2025, but it hopes to reach this new target. This move is a significant shift for Google, which has been a major player in the Chinese smartphone market.

Google's Placement in the World

Google finds itself in an interesting position in the smartphone world. It was incredibly popular in Japan last year, right before the Pixel 10 launch, but that's not where we're headed right now. About a year ago, Omdia reported that the US. phone market in Q1 2026 struggled, with the market dipping due to various factors.

Regarding Google, the company ranked fourth among top-selling phone companies, behind Apple, Samsung, and Motorola. Google shipped 0.8 million units, accounting for 3% of the market. If we jump to Q2, the market declined further, making it a challenging time for the industry as a whole.

Now, this report was more on a global scale. Google failed to rank in the top five on a particular scale. If Google can surpass 13 million phone shipments following the release of its Pixel 11 device, it will be worth keeping an eye on, especially considering the recent price hikes.