The made-in-India iPhone 16 series will hit the global market within days of its September 9 launch.
Apple’s iPhone 16 series, manufactured in India, will be available globally within the first few days of its sales launch, according to a report from The Economic Times. This is the first time that a global product, made in India, is being distributed globally so soon after its launch. This marks a milestone for the growing Indian manufacturing sector and the Make-in-India initiative.
Apple will unveil the iPhone 16 series on Monday, with global sales expected to begin 10 to 12 days later. Foxconn, one of Apple’s top contract manufacturers, has already started production of the series in India.
For the first time, even the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are being shipped abroad from Indian factories. The iPhone 16 claims to be one of Apple’s most advanced devices, with artificial intelligence (AI) features.
The shift towards India as a major manufacturing hub is seen as part of the tech giant’s efforts to diversify its manufacturing operations, especially as geopolitical tensions between the United States and China increase, the report said.
Apple iPhone 16 series launched today: where to watch
India’s role in global iPhone production
In 2021, iPhone 13 models made in India reached global retail outlets a few months after their launch. By 2022, the gap had been reduced to less than two weeks for the iPhone 14. Last year, Apple achieved simultaneous production for the iPhone 15 in India and China, though the India-made devices were only available locally on the first day of sales.
India currently contributes about 14 percent of Apple’s total global production, up from 7 percent last year, according to the latest Economic Survey. Moreover, Apple aims to shift 25 percent of its iPhone production to India by 2025 as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on China, the report said.
Currently, iPhones are only manufactured in India and China, but Apple has been steadily reducing the lag between the global launch of its new models and the availability of iPhones produced in India.
iPhones worth Rs 1.20 trillion produced in India in FY24
Apple’s contract manufacturers, including Foxconn Hon Hai, Pegatron and Wistron (now owned by Tata Group), produced iPhones worth Rs 1.2 trillion in India in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, with an export value of Rs 85,000 crore. These figures represent the value of the devices when they leave the factory (freight on board value), and selling prices are typically about 60 percent higher.
This year, Apple’s made-in-India iPhone 16 series will be available in multiple countries within days of its launch in stores on September 10.
Apple continues to lead India’s mobile phone exports and serves as the flagship participant in the Indian government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) program for smartphones. The initiative aims to boost local manufacturing and increase exports.
First publication: Sep 10, 2024 | 12:12 AM IST