Bengaluru: Ahead of its anticipated Spring launch, Apple has commenced production of the iPhone 17 at its contract manufacturing facilities in India. Though not much is known about this yet, small batches of the iPhone 17 are being manufactured in its five Indian facilities, run by Foxconn and India’s Tata Group, according to sources in the know.
This marks the first time Apple will be producing a new model from its Indian facilities for the launch. This development comes after US President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure about the iPhones being manufactured in India during his meeting with Apple’s CEO Tim Cook earlier this month.
Apple, as part of its strategy to diversify its manufacturing bases away from China, has been assembling iPhones in India since 2016, and has ramped up capacities ever since. Prodded by the government’s PLI scheme, India now accounts for almost one-fifth of all iPhones shipped, making it the world’s second-largest smartphone exporter.
iPhone fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating the launch of the iPhone 17 and its variants. Apple has had to plan its production months in advance due to the unprecedented demand following the launch.
The Made in India iPhones have been a matter of pride for India, even as Chinese authorities reportedly tried to stop the transfer of machinery and skilled employees to India in recent months. Despite these hiccups, India has become an essential part of Apple’s supply chain, and it is expected to do so in the near term.
