Apple Is Now Making AirPods Components in India

[MacRumors]

A U.S.-based Apple supplier has begun making components for AirPods in India, marking a significant step in the tech giant's push to expand production in the country, reports Bloomberg.

According to the news outlet, the Indian unit of Florida-based electronics manufacturer Jabil has begun shipping plastic AirPods enclosures to China and Vietnam, making the earbuds the second Apple product after iPhones to be made in India.

The move is part of Apple's plan to reduce its production reliance on China, where lockdown disruptions and US trade restrictions have made manufacturing more risky.

According to Jabil's website, the company operates a 858,000 square foot (80,000 square meter) facility employing more than 2,500 workers in Pune, western India.

Meanwhile, Apple's China-based suppliers are still waiting for the Indian government's approval to begin manufacturing there, with The Economic Times reporting that 14 Chinese companies have so far been granted only initial clearance.

The rush to gain approval follows news that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is drawing up plans to offer financial incentives to companies that produce wireless earphones and smartwatches locally.

Apple reportedly wants to triple its iPhone production capacity in India within the next two years. According to Bloomberg's sources, shipments of India-made iPhones to Europe and the Middle East are set to reach $2.5 billion by March 2023, almost doubling the $1.3 billion worth of iPhones the country exported in the year through March 2022.

The news outlet last year reported that it would take around eight years to move just 10% of Apple's production capacity out of China, where about 98% of iPhones are still made.

Article Link: Apple Is Now Making AirPods Components in India

 

[Minxy]

India is the new China. But without the communism.

 

[MacWiz_007]

It's too bad they can't make all of their products in the US. Well, they could make everything in the US, but the almighty dollar is the only thing that matters to Tim Apple. To be fair, Tim Apple is just one of the many greedy CEOs out there.

 

[DFZD]

Well we in India are now getting much better prices due to reduced taxation thanks to local manufacturing credits. I hope more companies move their manufacturing to India. China may give better pricing to build but its not a long term ally that the West needs.

 

[senttoschool]

India is the new China. But without the communism.

But more corruption, less reliability, lower quality.

Also, most of China's economy is more capitalist than the US. China is communist only in the name of its government.

 

[DFZD]

But more corruption, less reliability, lower quality.

Also, most of China's economy is more capitalist than the US. China is communist only in the name of its government.

1. Corruption sure.. but more than China? I doubt.
2. Reliability.. I think you should use an iPhone 14th generation, its most likely built in India, and considering that internal components anyway come from China, it should not be an issue.
3. That's same as 2, but as I said use the 14 series and trust Apple and its partners to ensure similar quality output as from elsewhere.

 

[Kissmo1980]

Aaaaaa Airpods Piscine Patel edition - I keep thinking of The Secret Life of Pi

 

[Agneev]

Well we in India are now getting much better prices due to reduced taxation thanks to local manufacturing credits.

What "better prices"? Nothing has become cheaper and everything has become more expensive since "local manufacturing".

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

In September, I hope my new iPhone 15 Pro Max comes straight from India 🇮🇳.

 

[senttoschool]

1. Corruption sure.. but more than China? I doubt. India is a democracy where you can sue even the government if you feel like there's justice to be served. Cairn sued and won around $1B. Try that in China where the Ali Baba founder (and many more) go missing for weeks.
2. Reliability.. I think you should use an iPhone 14th generation, its most likely built in India, and considering that internal components anyway come from China, it should not be an issue.
3. That's same as 2, but as I said use the 14 series and trust Apple and its partners to ensure similar quality output as from elsewhere.

1. Yes, India is more corrupt based on the corruption index.
2. Only some of the assembly for the base iPhone 14 is done in India, but not all of them. Everything else in the iPhone is pretty much made in China and shipped to India for assembly.
3. See #2.

 

[SoldOnApple]

The people of India will be very thankful for more jobs. China's economy has well and truly matured beyond the need for more factory work. I wish Apple would make things here in Australia too but I've seen a lot about what life is like in India on Al Jazeera English and they seriously need it a lot more than we do. A good job in a factory can change their whole lives, but in Australia it would be just another job.

 

[senttoschool]

It's too bad they can't make all of their products in the US. Well, they could make everything in the US, but the almighty dollar is the only thing that matters to Tim Apple. To be fair, Tim Apple is just one of the many greedy CEOs out there.

You're dreaming.

Apple can't even reliably assemble (let alone manufacture) the Mac Pro in the US. And this is an extremely low-volume machine that can retail up to $50k.

Apple’s ‘Assembled in USA’ Mac Pro is made in China for international customers - 9to5Mac

It’s been an interesting journey for Apple as it has figured out its manufacturing plans for the new Mac Pro....

9to5mac.com

 

[T Coma]

But more corruption, less reliability, lower quality.

Also, most of China's economy is more capitalist than the US. China is communist only in the name of its government.

I can say — with actually having worked in business in China, mind you — that “privately” owned businesses are so deeply intertwined with or flat-out owned by local and state gov’t (with its requisite corruption) that their version of capitalism is a much different animal than the one the Americans are accustomed to.

I have no experience with business in India though, so I must rely on the reports of those who have experience in that arena. Any diversification that lessens reliance on China is certainly a step in the right direction, regardless.

 

[d5aqoëp]

What "better prices"? Nothing has become cheaper and everything has become more expensive since "local manufacturing".

Allow me to discredit you royally

Take example of iPhone 14 Plus.

This whole month of Jan 2023, it is available on Flipkart for ₹75,000 including taxes. Source. Which comes to $920. This is probably cheapest in the world.
Now same model sells for $899 WITHOUT TAXES in the US.

 

[ilikewhey]

1. Corruption sure.. but more than China? I doubt. India is a democracy where you can sue even the government if you feel like there's justice to be served. Cairn sued and won around $1B. Try that in China where the Ali Baba founder (and many more) go missing for weeks.

China

Find out more about corruption in China: Latest news, Corruption Perceptions Index score & local chapter’s contact information.

www.transparency.org

china ranked 66 with a score of 45

India

Find out more about corruption in India: Latest news, Corruption Perceptions Index score & local chapter’s contact information.

www.transparency.org

india ranked 85 with a score of 40

edit: both countries are mildly corrupt with china edging out slightly less corrupt.

 

[senttoschool]

I can say — with actually having worked in business in China, mind you — that “privately” owned businesses are so deeply intertwined with or flat-out owned by local and state gov’t (with its requisite corruption) that their version of capitalism is a much different animal than the one the Americans are accustomed to.

I have no experience with business in India though, so I must rely on the reports of those who have experience in that arena. Any diversification that lessens reliance on China is certainly a step in the right direction, regardless.

Corruption isn’t communism.

 

[DFZD]

What "better prices"? Nothing has become cheaper and everything has become more expensive since "local manufacturing".

iPhone 14 is already down by a good 15k (~$180) from launch price.

 

[DFZD]

China

Find out more about corruption in China: Latest news, Corruption Perceptions Index score & local chapter’s contact information.

www.transparency.org

china ranked 66 with a score of 45

India

Find out more about corruption in India: Latest news, Corruption Perceptions Index score & local chapter’s contact information.

www.transparency.org

india ranked 85 with a score of 40

edit: both countries are mildly corrupt with china edging out slightly less corrupt.

I think you missed this warning below. Anyway China has a reputation of twisting their data so I don't think anyone trusts them anymore.. esp after Covid.. this is primarily the reason behind China Plus One policy of west where they are shifting some of their manufacturing to other Asian countries.

 

[Wildkraut]

I hope someday laws comes out forcing established companies that exist longer than X and are bigger than Y to e.g. produce, assemble or manufacture a percentage of their products in the countries they operate and sell their stuff.
(raw idea)

 

[sw1tcher]

It's too bad they can't make all of their products in the US. Well, they could make everything in the US, but the almighty dollar is the only thing that matters to Tim Apple. To be fair, Tim Apple is just one of the many greedy CEOs out there.

I wonder how much U.S. made and assembled AirPods would cost.

If 2nd gen AirPods are $129, then U.S. versions would be $199?
If 3rd gen AirPods are $179, then U.S. versions would be $249?
If 2nd gen AirPods Pros are $249, then U.S. versions would be $329?
If AirPods Max are $549, then U.S. versions would be $629?

At those prices, I'm not sure they'd be as ubiquitous as they are now.

 

[anthogag]

China is no longer a reliable manufacturing partner for the West. Their lockdowns on factories showed everyone who's boss. Apple can't rely on China with an emperor Xi who is hell bent on taking-over Taiwan. Xi is actually doing the West a favour because more businesses in Taiwan are setting-up operations in other countries just in case.

 

[icanhazmac]

China is no longer a reliable manufacturing partner for the West.

This!

There is a reason many make the "cheap china crap" reference to products made there. Not all but most.

 

[MacWiz_007]

I wonder how much U.S. made and assembled AirPods would cost.

If 2nd gen AirPods are $129, then U.S. versions would be $199?
If 3rd gen AirPods are $179, then U.S. versions would be $249?
If 2nd gen AirPods Pros are $249, then U.S. versions would be $329?
If AirPods Max are $549, then U.S. versions would be $629?

At those prices, I'm not sure they'd be as ubiquitous as they are now.

I'd gladly pay more, and I do buy made in the USA products whenever I can.

 

[Wildkraut]

I wonder how much U.S. made and assembled AirPods would cost.

If 2nd gen AirPods are $129, then U.S. versions would be $199?
If 3rd gen AirPods are $179, then U.S. versions would be $249?
If 2nd gen AirPods Pros are $249, then U.S. versions would be $329?
If AirPods Max are $549, then U.S. versions would be $629?

At those prices, I'm not sure they'd be as ubiquitous as they are now.

Yes probably at start, but as long it create new jobs, helps to lower the unemployment and strengthen the economy, it's all fine.
They are luxury and expendable items.

At the long run competition could force Apple to lower the prices.
Well, and if not, then all fine, people are willing to pay higher prices.

Anyway, I think Apple would take the opportunity to excessively push up the prices, despite not having much higher production costs.

 

[sw1tcher]

I'd gladly pay more, and I do buy made in the USA products whenever I can.

You're lucky you're able to. Many people in the U.S. don't have that ability.

How many people can afford to buy U.S.-made $40 t-shirts vs a 3 pack for $11? And even those who might be able to do so aren't going to buy a $40 T to wear and ruin while at their blue collar job (farmer, construction, auto mechanic, etc.). It doesn't make financial sense.