Apple is now manufacturing its entire iPhone 16 lineup in India for the global market, marking the first time any of its mobile phone series has been produced entirely in the country, according to a recent statement from the company. Following the success of the two Apple stores opened in 2023 in Mumbai and Saket, Delhi, Apple has further announced plans to open four new retail stores across Bangalore, Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Mumbai by 2025.
“We’re thrilled to build our teams as we plan to open more stores in India because we’re inspired by the creativity and passion of our customers across this country,” said Deirdre O’Brien, senior vice president of Retail, Apple.
Regarding the fire at Tata Electronics' Hosur facility, an official statement from Apple is still awaited. However, Apple has no plans to shift its production away from India, as the incident has not impacted its operations, with sufficient stockpiles in place. One of the six units at Tata Electronics' Tamil Nadu plant, which plays a crucial role in producing components for Apple’s iPhone, was affected by the fire last Saturday.
The Made-in-India iPhone 16 series is not yet available in domestic or international markets. However, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max produced at its Indian contract facilities are expected to be available soon for Indian customers and export to select countries worldwide, though no official timeline has been announced.
Apple in India
Apple began manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, initially limited to older models. Its contract manufacturers in India include Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Group, with Foxconn being the largest. In 2021, India-made iPhone 13 models reached global markets a few months after launch, and this gap was reduced to under two weeks in 2022 with the iPhone 14. The iPhone 15 series marked the first time India-made models were available on day one, though production remained limited to base and Plus models. Now, for the first time, Apple is manufacturing the entire iPhone series in India, including the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. The India-made iPhone 16 and 16 Plus were available in the country on launch day.
Earlier reports indicated JPMorgan's projection that Apple aims to increase iPhone production in India from 10% to 25% by 2025-28.
Apple currently employs over 3,000 people in India. With new retail stores set to open, this number is expected to grow. Earlier this year, Apple opened a 15-floor office in Bengaluru, accommodating up to 1,200 employees. The facility includes dedicated lab spaces, collaboration areas, wellness spaces, and Caffè Macs.
"Our stores are incredible places to experience the magic of Apple, and it’s been wonderful to deepen our connection with our customers in India,” Brien added.
Additionally, Apple has recently partnered with CleanMax to enhance local clean energy capacity for its offices, two retail stores, and corporate operations in India. The company is committed to achieving 100% carbon neutrality across its supply chain and products by 2030.
