Google wants to move out of Vietnam, into India after Pixel 8 unboxing video leaked before launch

Google might be thinking of moving a major chunk of their production lines to India from Vietnam, after a factory worker in one of their factories, leaked a video of the upcoming Google Pixel 8 Pro device.

Moreover, days before the launch an unboxing video of the upcoming Google Pixel 8 has surfaced on X.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro was leaked again by what appears to be a factory worker.

In previous years entire official guides were leaked on the manufacturing and repair process, so it is possible it could be from that as well.

We get an insight into what the unboxing experience… pic.twitter.com/VrsjLD3bs6

— M. Brandon Lee | THIS IS TECH TODAY (@thisistechtoday) September 30, 2023

Leaks - A double-edged sword
Product details getting leaked before the official launch can be a double-edged sword. While some tech companies have found that by regularly leaking certain juicy details from time to time is a great way to build hype for an upcoming device, sometimes things go out of control. Take Google for example.

For years now, many tech journalists believe, that Google has been leaking details and photos of their devices to the public to create some hype around their devices. However, as per reports, certain insiders at Google fear that the situation is getting out of hand, to the extent that units of certain highly anticipated leaks get leaked to tech enthusiasts who are willing to pay, even before Google gets to decide whether they should reveal something to the public or not.

The situation is so rampant that over the last 3-4 years, almost all of Google’s Pixel devices have been leaked to the public days, sometimes weeks before the launch. In fact, for the last 3-4 years, the only thing that people watched Google’s Pixel launches to see the prices at which the devices would launch.

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So here we have it the first proper unboxing video for the Pixel 8 the video was published by PBKreviews. I am not going to lie by this Pixel 8 in Hazel looks stunning! 😍 #Pixel8 #GooglePixel #TeamPixel #Google #Pixel pic.twitter.com/MPe9G0SMLW

— Neil Sargeant (@Neil_Sarg) October 1, 2023

Google and Apple’s Move away from China
Given the acrimonious relationship between the US and China, several major tech companies have been diversifying their production lines away from China.

Apple, in its China Plus One policy, decided to move a major chunk of its production facilities to India, where Google, who already had production lines in Vietnam before they adopted the China Plus One policy, decided to focus more on Vietnam.

Google is manufacturing certain components in India, but for some reason, it hasn’t invested in India to the extent that other manufacturers have. All that may be set to change.

Advantage India
It seems that India’s manufacturing talent is better at keeping secrets, at least when compared to Vietnam’s. Google and Apple both have suffered some leaks in China but rarely have they been put in a position where tech enthusiasts and journalists got their hands on a device before launch.

Bad news: because a huge waves of Pixel leaks from Vietnam over the past 3-4 years, especially this year, Google is considering switching the manufacturer line from Vietnam to India.

Huge L for Compal Vietnam. https://t.co/9Lt8pQM3aQ

— Semi-retired-ing (@chunvn8888) October 1, 2023

Similarly, tech enthusiasts in India are rarely able to get their hands on a device through unofficial lines before a device is launched, or sent for reviews. Even then, embargos are followed strictly.

This is going to be a major reason why Google may be contemplating a move to India. Moreover, considering how most major tech manufacturers want to set up factories or production lines in India’s backyard and are attracted by the PLI schemes that the Government of India is offering, Google will be missing out on a big opportunity if it does not expand its manufacturing capacities in the country.