Apple plans to manufacture its top-end Pro and Pro Max iPhone models in India for the first time this year, according to a report from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
The tech giant kickstarted iPhone production in India all the way back in 2017 with the original iPhone SE. Apple has steadily expanded its manufacturing footprint in India ever since, significantly ramping up efforts in recent years as the company looks to decrease its reliance on China for device assembly.
Last year, Apple started building its base iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models in India alongside their global launch. The company plans to take things a step further this year, aiming to also manufacture its flagship iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models in the South Asian country as close to their global debut as possible.
Initially, Apple will still import iPhone 16 Pro models into India for sale in the domestic market. However, people with knowledge of the matter said that manufacturing partner Foxconn will start assembling iPhone 16 Pro models in India within weeks of their global launch, once the new product introduction (NPI) process is complete.
Foxconn is already training thousands of workers to assemble the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max at its manufacturing plant in southern Tamil Nadu, the sources said.
India-made iPhones will not only cater to the local market but will also be exported to other regions. As of earlier this year, 1 in 7 (or 14%) of all iPhones sold across the globe were made in India, marking a doubling of Apple’s production capacity in the country compared to the previous year.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 16 series next month, with the company reportedly expecting record sales for the new devices.
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