A turning point for Apple and its relationship with China. After increasing its production capacities in India in recent years, Apple is now targeting initial production of its next phones in Gandhi’s country. The iPhone 17 will be the first to usher in this new process.
The basic model in India
Although Apple launched the iPhone 16 last month, the brand is already preparing for next year’s iPhone 17, while looking to reduce its dependence on China.
Apple has long relied on Chinese factories for almost all of its iPhone production. And despite a recent reiterated commitment to China, it is working to diversify its supply chain, driven by economic reasons and the need to reduce risk. Production problems linked to the pandemic as well as the trade war between the Americans and Chinese have pushed the firm to turn to other countries, always Asian.
For the first time, according to The Informationthe initial phase of production of the iPhone 17 will be done in India, a process known as New Production Introduction (NPI). Crucial for the global launch, this step involves refining the design, adjusting materials and testing manufacturing processes to ensure smooth production at scale with minimal defects. Apple’s decision to hand over this responsibility to an Indian factory shows its growing confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise.
Pro models remain in China, for now
This first phase of production in India is only for the standard iPhone 17 model, while premium models, such as the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and the highly anticipated iPhone 17 Air, will continue to be produced in China. Apple has historically favored the specialized expertise of Chinese factories, but if Indian production proves satisfactory, it could pave the way for broader diversification.
The transition reflects Apple’s broader strategy to gradually expand production outside of China, as India’s infrastructure and skilled workforce grow. If production of the iPhone 17 is successful, it could mark the start of a new era for Apple manufacturing, with India playing an increasingly important role in the global supply chain.
Remember that India has been mass producing iPhone 16s since the start, but was not asked to validate the pre-launch processes.
