Apple to Manufacture iPhone 16 Pro in India for the First Time
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Apple is preparing to manufacture more of its iPhone lineup in India in 2024, with plans to produce the Pro and Pro Max versions of its iPhone 16 in the country for the first time, according to a report by Money Control.
While Apple has been growing iPhone production in India and gradually catching up to China, it has not manufactured either of its Pro models in India. However, according to today’s report, the Cupertino firm will be making a change for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Money Control says sources familiar with the matter tell it that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be assembled in India, marking the first time the flagship iPhone family will be made in the country.
One source told the publication that Apple is seeking to “deepen its manufacturing capabilities with partners in India,” and the company has been mulling over moving Pro model production to India for “the last couple of years.”
Apple will also “make sure the India-assembled iPhone 16 Pro models are available in the country after the launch,” the source continued.
Foxconn will soon kick off its “new product introduction” (NPI) process for the iPhone 16 Pro models at its facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The Sriperumbudur facility has been mentioned to be a part of Foxconn’s plan to expand its iPad production to the country. Apple is also rumored to be preparing to manufacture AirPods in India starting later this year.
While Apple is expected to begin iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max production in India before the end of the year, the production lines won’t be ready in time for the new iPhones’ launch in September. However, the Indian-manufactured Pro and Pro Max models will be available before Apple’s fiscal year is up.
The move is said to be part of Apple’s broader strategy to move more of its manufacturing capacity away from China, expanding its manufacturing capacity in India as well as Vietnam. The company is said to be planning to manufacture 25% of all of its iPhones in India over the next few years or so, up from the 14% of manufacturing it currently does in the country.
Apple has seen massive growth in India recently. In July, it was reported that Apple’s India revenue rose by 33% for the 12 months through March, as it saw a shift in revenue from $6 billion to $8 billion.
Apple will also benefit from the Indian government’s announcement on July 23 that it would cut its import rate from 20% down to 15%. The reduction not only cuts the cost of importing iPhones into India, but it also reduces the cost of the components used for assembly in India. The Indian government has been actively encouraging companies to make investments in the country, offering incentives to attract large companies.
Apple first began manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, when it started assembling the first-generation iPhone SE there. Since then, it has steadily increased its manufacturing activity in the Asian country. Apple assembled both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 in the country, although production of these iPhone models kicked off several months after the handsets’ global launch. Apple manufactured the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus in India from the first day of the devices’ global debuts.
Apple anticipates high demand for the iPhone 16 lineup and plans to produce 90 million units in 2024, a 10% increase from the production numbers of last year’s iPhone 15 models.
