The upcoming Apple iPhone 17 Series, slated for a September launch, is generating excitement as new details emerge. A recent report indicates that all models of the iPhone 17 Series will be produced in India. This production will be carried out across five local factories, with two of them recently starting operations.
This marks the first instance where all new iPhone models, including the premium Pro variants, will be manufactured in India. This is a strategic move by Apple to decrease its reliance on China for shipments to the US, and to safeguard itself from potential tariff risks. The company has already moved a significant portion of iPhone production for the American market from China to India.
Surge in Exports
The Tata Group’s plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, and Foxconn’s hub near the Bengaluru airport are key components of this expansion. People with knowledge of the situation reveal that Tata has managed almost half of India’s iPhone production within the last two years. This shift has led to an increase in India’s export figures. From April to July this year, India’s iPhone exports reached $7.5 billion, compared to $17 billion for the entire previous fiscal year.
The context includes the Trump administration’s push towards applying heavy tariffs on Chinese goods, which presents an uncertain trade environment for Apple in the US. Despite the fact that iPhones have generally been protected from comprehensive tariffs, a former US president indicated that if Apple wants to manufacture iPhones for the American market, it should do so within America, not in China or India.