Although there are ‘Made in India‘ iPhones, the primary manufacturing and development have largely occurred in China. However, Apple is now exploring the possibility of developing the iPhone 17 in India, signaling a potential shift away from China. Here’s the significance of this potential move.
A Genuine ‘Made in India’ iPhone: A Reality at Last!
Prominent analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has proposed that Apple plans to relocate the new product introduction (NPI) for the standard iPhone 17 from China to India, making India the primary option. This transition is expected to commence in the second half of 2024, with the launch scheduled for the second half of 2025.
The decision to develop only the standard model in India is based on the lower complexity involved in design development, which leads to reduced design risks. Presently, even in the existing scenario, only the standard iPhone models are assembled in India.
Apple’s goal is to raise the proportion of globally shipped iPhones that are ‘Made in India‘ to 20-25% by 2024. Currently, it accounts for 10-14% of global shipments. In addition to this, Apple also intends to reduce its production in China, particularly in Zhengzhou and Taiyuan, by 35-45% and 75-85%, respectively.
Following the acquisition of the Wistron production plant in Bengaluru, Tata is set to begin iPhone production in India, which is expected to take around two years to come to fruition. This development suggests a strong possibility that Tata will handle the complete production of the iPhone 17 in India, effectively competing with Foxconn, which currently has a 75-80% share of iPhone production in the country.
The shift towards producing iPhone models in India is likely to strengthen the country’s position as a key market for Apple. With the potential development of more iPhone models in India, there is hope that costs could decrease, providing some relief for users. Currently, users in India face approximately 40% in taxes, including customs and GST, and a shift in production location could lead to a reduction in these costs.
As the information provided by Ming-Chi Kuo is not official, it’s important to approach this news with some caution. The shift in iPhone development to India is still a few years away, so we’ll need to wait and see how this develops. Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to share your thoughts on this in the comments below!
0 Comments