Apple's iPhone 16 series, proudly made in India, will reach global markets shortly after its launch, showcasing India's manufacturing prowess. This move highlights Apple's commitment to diversifying production amid geopolitical tensions. India's role in iPhone manufacturing is expanding rapidly, with 14% of Apple's global production now from India, set to rise to 25% by 2025. The iPhone 16 series, crafted by Apple's partners in India, exemplifies the country's growing importance in Apple's supply chain and global market strategy.
Apple is making waves with its upcoming iPhone 16 series, proudly manufactured in India and set to hit global markets mere days after its debut. This significant move marks a pivotal moment for India's burgeoning manufacturing sector and underscores the success of the Make-in-India initiative.
Scheduled for a grand unveiling on Monday, the iPhone 16 series is poised for worldwide release just 10 to 12 days following its launch date, a feat made possible by Foxconn, one of Apple's key manufacturing partners, which has already kickstarted production in India.
What sets this launch apart is the inclusion of even the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models in the international shipment from Indian facilities. Promising advanced features like artificial intelligence (AI), the iPhone 16 is positioned as one of Apple's most cutting-edge devices to date.
This strategic shift towards India as a pivotal production center is part of Apple's broader strategy to diversify its manufacturing footprint, particularly in light of escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. The move signifies a vote of confidence in India's capabilities as a global manufacturing hub.
India's stature in the global iPhone production landscape has been steadily rising. From the India-made iPhone 13 models reaching international markets within months of their launch in 2021 to the reduced gap of less than two weeks for the iPhone 14 in 2022, the trajectory has been impressive. Last year, Apple achieved simultaneous production of the iPhone 15 in India and China, although the Indian-made devices were initially available only locally.
Notably, India now accounts for approximately 14% of Apple's total global production, a significant jump from 7% the previous year, as highlighted in the latest Economic Survey. Looking ahead, Apple aims to shift 25% of its iPhone production to India by 2025, signaling a strategic move to lessen reliance on China.
In a significant development, Apple's contract manufacturers, which include Foxconn Hon Hai, Pegatron, and Wistron (now under the Tata Group umbrella), churned out iPhones worth an impressive Rs 1.20 trillion in India during the financial year ending on March 31, 2024. Notably, exports from these operations were valued at Rs 85,000 crore, underscoring the country's growing role in Apple's global supply chain.
This year, the much-anticipated made-in-India iPhone 16 series is poised to make its mark across various countries within days of its retail launch on September 10, a testament to India's increasing significance in Apple's production ecosystem.
Apple's continued leadership in mobile phone exports from India is bolstered by its active participation in the Indian government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphones. This strategic initiative aims to bolster local manufacturing capabilities and drive exports, further solidifying Apple's commitment to India's vibrant manufacturing landscape.
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