Apple To Start Manufacturing iPhone In India Soon: Report

In its effort to expand manufacturing in India and reduce dependence on China, tech giant Apple is reportedly looking for an initial manufacturing work on an iPhone 17 base model in India soon.

According to The Information, the company is working with an Indian factory for the same.

The report further said that this Indian unit will handle the process of converting the iPhone 17 prototype into a mass-produced model. 

This move also marks that for the first time an Indian iPhone manufacturing unit has been pressed into exploring such an assignment.

The report further added that the introductory production of the standard iPhone 17 is expected to begin in India in the latter half of 2025.

The upcoming iPhone is expected to offer major upgrades in display and processing power.

In September, the company reportedly started the production of the complete range of its latest iPhone16 in India. The company also plans to increase its workforce in the country from its current 3,000 employees. 

Earlier in August, reports said that Apple’s India ecosystem could potentially employ 6 Lakh workers by the end of the current fiscal year (FY25) directly. 

The development comes at a time when Apple has actively diversified its production outside of China amid geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington DC. This pivot to India also comes on the back of hefty production linked incentives (PLIs) and other sops offered by the Centre. 

To produce iPhones in India, Apple has partnered with Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata-owned Wistron.

As per Economic Survey 2023-24, India contributed about 14% to Apple’s overall production in FY24 and emerged as a key hub for its global exports. Contract manufacturers Foxconn, Wistron (now owned by Tata Group) and Pegatron cumulatively produced iPhones worth INR 1.2 Lakh Cr in India in FY24, of which INR 85,000 Cr worth of devices were exported.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Apple reportedly announced plans to open four additional retail stores across India. The new stores are set to open in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai.