India’s manufacturing sector, particularly in electronics, is gaining momentum, with mobile phone exports to the US soaring from $2.2 billion in FY22-23 to $5.7 billion in FY24. Apple has significantly contributed to this growth, assembling 14% of global iPhones in India during FY24, and has seen India improve its global electronics export ranking by four positions.
In a notable development, the Made-in-India iPhone 16 series will be available globally within days of its launch. Apple plans to unveil the new iPhones on Monday, with sales set to begin within 10-12 days. Foxconn has already started production of the iPhone 16 series in India, aiming to supply multiple cities and countries.
Apple intends to shift 25% of its iPhone production to India by 2025 to diversify its manufacturing base. Currently, iPhones are produced only in India and China, with Apple progressively closing the gap between Indian-made iPhones and their global launch schedule over the past four years.
For the first time, Apple will produce its most expensive iPhone Pro and Pro Max models in India. Foxconn Technology Group is set to begin assembly of these high-end devices shortly after their global launch this fall. The company has started training thousands of workers at its Tamil Nadu factory to meet production demands. Pegatron Corp. and Tata Group might also join in assembling the Pro models. These higher-end iPhones, featuring advanced batteries, cameras, and titanium bodies, will primarily be exported to Europe, the Middle East, and the US.
Bloomberg Intelligence projects a 33% increase in Apple’s India sales, reaching nearly $8 billion over the next year, with expectations to hit $33 billion by 2030, driven by rising middle-class purchasing power.
Foxconn is also considering assembling iPads in India, extending its operations beyond smartphones. This move aligns with Apple’s strategy to diversify away from China and leverage India’s growing supply chain capabilities. The assembly of iPads and potentially Mac laptops reflects confidence in India’s expanding role in global electronics manufacturing. Foxconn will benefit from India’s production-linked incentives (PLI 2.0) for IT hardware, including tablets.
