Photo: Sonny Dickson/Cult of Mac
Apple will reportedly start assembling iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max units in India later this year. So far, the company has only assembled non-Pro iPhones in the country.
This move would be a big step in Apple’s increased manufacturing presence in India. It would also help further diversify the company’s supply chain away from China.
Apple continues its supply-chain diversification away from China
Slowly but steadily, Apple has been ramping up iPhone production in India since its focus on making the country a production hub in 2019. Its efforts picked up steam after COVID-19 and the pandemic-led disruptions to its supply chain in China. Typically, Apple starts local assembly for its latest non-Pro iPhones a few months after their international debut in India.
With the iPhone 15 in 2023, the company and its suppliers could start local assembly almost simultaneously in China. This year, Apple aims to deepen its manufacturing capabilities further in India by assembling the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max locally.
Production may not start alongside China before the phone’s launch. Instead, the MoneyControl report claims the India-assembled iPhone 16 Pro units will be available “after the launch.” Initially, the company will meet the local demand through imported units. Local assembly of ‘Made in India’ iPhone 16 Pro units should start before the fiscal year’s end.
Foxconn could assemble iPhone 16 Pro for Apple in India
Apple supplier Foxconn could assemble the iPhone 16 Pro units at its Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu. A recent report claimed Foxconn is also looking to start local assembly of iPads in India from H2 2025.
There’s a big price gap between the Pro and non-Pro iPhones in India. This is due to the former being imported, leading to excess import duties and charges. Local manufacturing will help Apple avoid the additional duties, possibly leading to lower prices for the 2025 iPhone Pro models in the country.