Apple Inc. has initiated production of its next-generation iPhone 15 in Tamil Nadu, India. The device is set to be manufactured at the Foxconn Technology Group’s plant in Sriperumbudur.
This comes shortly after the commencement of shipping from Chinese factories, highlighting Apple’s drive to speed up the influx of new iPhones from India.
Historically, Apple’s iPhone assembly in India significantly trailed its China output by six to nine months. However, this lag was considerably shortened last year, with India accounting for 7% of Apple’s iPhone production as of March. The company aims to align the shipment timelines between the two countries this year, but achieving this remains uncertain.
The extent of iPhone 15’s production in India is contingent upon the timely availability of imported components and the efficient operation of the Foxconn factory lines near Chennai.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15, scheduled for announcement on September 12, is anticipated to be a game-changer. With substantial camera upgrades and the Pro models featuring a superior 3-nanometer A16 processor, the iPhone 15 series is vital for reversing Apple’s sales slump, which saw a decline for three consecutive quarters due to weakened demand in major markets like the US, China, and Europe.
Apart from Foxconn, other Apple suppliers in India, including Pegatron Corp. and a Wistron Corp. factory soon to be owned by the Tata Group, will also engage in iPhone 15 assembly.
Apple’s expansion in India is catalyzed by financial incentives offered by the Modi administration. Consequently, Apple tripled its iPhone production, surpassing $7 billion for the fiscal year ending in March. The tech giant, which inaugurated its first retail stores in India in April, perceives the burgeoning Indian market as both a retail goldmine and a crucial production hub.
In a recent meeting with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in April, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook expressed the company’s dedication to “growing and investing across the country.”
