Shifting iPhone production for the American market to India, Apple decides to transition manufacturing operations away from China.

In a significant move, tech giant Apple has ramped up its production of iPhones in India, with the country now accounting for 20% of global iPhone production, according to figures from the twelve months preceding March 2025.

The diversification of iPhone production to India has strengthened Apple's autonomy in the face of potential regulatory changes or geopolitical pressures. The shift was accelerated by the pandemic, temporary factory closures in Chinese territory, and increased trade disputes between Washington and Beijing.

Foxconn, a key multinational partner in iPhone production, has inaugurated a new production center near Bangalore airport. The Tata Group, India's largest conglomerate, is now the leading assembler of iPhones in the country, having acquired Wistron's plant in Karnataka and gaining majority control of the facility previously managed by Pegatron in Chennai.

Together, these partners operate five factories across India, with the Tata Group expected to contribute about half of the iPhone production capacity in the next two years. Apple has also reinforced its teams by transferring engineers from Japan and Taiwan to India, despite higher costs.

The production of the iPhone SE was initially started in India in 2017, and the slim model of the iPhone 17, which introduces design and technology innovations including enhanced video recording and photographic zoom, will be central to Apple's marketing strategy.

Apple has decided to fully relocate the production of the next generation of iPhones intended for the U.S. market to India. Devices manufactured entirely in India for the iPhone 17 series will be prioritized for shipment to the United States, Apple's main market.

The upcoming launch of the iPhone 17 marks a turning point in Apple's strategy, with all four models of the series being assembled simultaneously in five Indian plants. Apple's suppliers have increased the capacity and sophistication of their assembly lines in India due to tax incentives and subsidies offered by the Indian government.

Looking ahead, Apple plans to continue using India as a launchpad for future generations, such as the 17e series and the iPhone 18. This strategic move not only strengthens Apple's supply chain and provides greater control over its operations but also underscores India's growing importance in the global tech industry.