Apple Now Makes One in Four iPhones in India

[MacRumors]

Apple boosted iPhone production in India by around 53 percent last year and now makes a quarter of its flagship devices there to avoid tariffs on China, reports Bloomberg ($).

Apple assembled about 55 million iPhones in the country across 2025, up from 36 million a year earlier, according to the publication's sources. The shift is part of Apple's broader effort to mitigate risk from U.S.-China trade tensions and reduce dependence on a single country for production.

Apple makes about 220 million to 230 million iPhones globally. A Canalys report last year claimed India has overtaken China as the leading manufacturer of smartphones shipped to the United States.

The California-based company has leaned heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's production-linked incentives aimed at turning India into the world's factory. The subsidies have helped offset some of the structural cost disadvantages that manufacturers face in India, including the lack of a China-like robust supply chain and logistics challenges, according to Bloomberg.

Although the cost gap has narrowed, assembling electronics and manufacturing components in India still remains more expensive than in countries such as China and Vietnam. Consequently, companies including Apple and Samsung are continuing to push for additional government support.

The companies are currently in discussions with the Indian government about a new round of incentives aimed at boosting export growth. The report notes that India's existing production-linked subsidies for smartphones are set to expire on March 31, and with the U.S. Supreme Court recently striking down some tariffs affecting China, officials in New Delhi are under pressure to act quickly to ensure the country remains cost-competitive.

Apple now assembles all models in the latest iPhone 17 lineup in India, including the higher-end Pro and Pro Max variants. Manufacturing partners in the country – including Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatron – also produce older devices such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 for both domestic sales and export markets.

Article Link: Apple Now Makes One in Four iPhones in India

 

[Justin Cymbal]

This isn’t just about Tariffs, Apple has been relocating manufacturing outside of China for a while now - because if there is a future conflict between China and Taiwan, you can count on any infrastructure located within China’s borders (and owned by any American companies) to become written off - similar to what occurred 3 years ago with American companies assets in Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So a lot of companies, not just Apple have been expediting this relocation strategy for years now

 

[Hank001]

...to avoid tariffs on China

Whatever gave you that idea? This production line in India stated long ago. Nothing to do on tariffs.

 

[commentor]

Glad to see Indian economy to continue opening up

 

[klasma]

And who makes the other three iPhones in India?

 

[Happy_John]

Whatever gave you that idea? This production line in India stated long ago. Nothing to do on tariffs.

Yep, COVID was as big a kick in the butt as tariffs to increase awareness of diversifying supply chains, but the need to diversify supply chains was there previous to either. Never wise to have a single point of failure.

 

[Happy_John]

This isn’t just about Tariffs, Apple has been relocating manufacturing outside of China for a while now - because if there is a future conflict between China and Taiwan, you can count on any infrastructure located within China’s borders (and owned by any American companies) to become written off - similar to what occurred 3 years ago with American companies assets in Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So a lot of companies, not just Apple have been expediting this relocation strategy for years now

That bit in the first sentence of the article is just bait, I'd guess.

 

[Plutonius]

I see no issues with diversifying production.

I just wonder what the percentage of the parts used by India are sourced only by China ?

 

[Hicksmat1976]

you have to look at these things though a politics lens.

this is all about ensuring there is no china leverage in the event of a future conflict/war.

as we have seen from Iran and the Middle East, its not wise to have things you depend on located over there in case something happens. you cant relocate oil however.

in terms of electronics, that translates to making apple devices in territories that are not potential enemies down the line.

I don't believe the tariffs thing will last, I think these will continue to be rejected in the USA and when Trump eventually leaves office I expect they might roll back on the idea entirely.

 

[emulator]

So that's why they smile on the picture. Money, money, money!

 

[MrSnirf]

I thought all these Jobs were supposed to be going back to the US?

 

[prism]

you have to look at these things though a politics lens.

this is all about ensuring there is no china leverage in the event of a future conflict/war.

as we have seen from Iran and the Middle East, its not wise to have things you depend on located over there in case something happens. you cant relocate oil however.

in terms of electronics, that translates to making apple devices in territories that are not potential enemies down the line.

I don't believe the tariffs thing will last, I think these will continue to be rejected in the USA and when Trump eventually leaves office I expect they might roll back on the idea entirely.

From the pov of Europe, the real bully and threat these days is not China but the U.S. Think of the economic leverage with just Visa and Mastercard, it’s insane.

 

[tongxinshe]

Originally in China, when move off of China, instead of moving them back to the US, it is now in India. Apple is really not a patriotic company. People should really stop buying Apple products!

 

[Happy_John]

Originally in China, when move off of China, instead of moving them back to the US, it is now in India. Apple is really not a patriotic company. People should really stop buying Apple products!

Corporations are not nations, they don't have citizens, only shareholders - patriotism is irrelevant. Corporations serve their shareholders.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

I wonder if a Chinese iPhone is built better than an Indian one. Who has the better QA?

 

[tongxinshe]

Corporations are not nations, they don't have citizens, only shareholders - patriotism is irrelevant. Corporations serve their shareholders.

Sure, just be prepared for sanctions when the company is not totally loyal to the US.

 

[SAvery417]

Look at those smiling faces! They look so happy. Hopefully fewer suicides in those factories... wait it's still Foxconn.

 

[Happy_John]

Sure, just be prepared for sanctions when the company is not totally loyal to the US.

No. As long as the administration is regularly given sweeteners, corporations can do what they like. Look at the wealthiest “American” companies - the majority of their production, supply chains and wealth management are not taking place within the USA. - They wouldn’t be so wealthy if they did.

Patriotism is a marketing tool for business, nothing more. I mean, where do you think MAGA hats and USA flags are manufactured?

Why do you think Apple Distribution International is based in Ireland, not the USA, and what do you think they do?

 

[svish]

Great to see manufacturing expanding in India. Hopefully all future models including the upcoming Fold are manufactured within the country from day 1 itself. This year's Pro and Air started manufacturing only around 1 month after global launch. Manufacturing within country helps to reduce cost of devices for the local market as there will not be any import duty.