For the first time ever, Apple will manufacture all four iPhone 17 models, including both Pro editions, in India ahead of their September launch, Bloomberg reported. This marks a major milestone in the company’s production strategy, as India becomes a central hub for global iPhone supply.
The tech giant has now expanded to five factories across India, with two new facilities recently launched. This move accelerates Apple’s plan to shift a large share of US-bound iPhone production away from China, driven by concerns over tariffs and escalating geopolitical tensions. Apple has already projected a $1.1 billion hit from trade duties this quarter.
Tata Group Takes Lead Role
India’s Tata Group has emerged as a key partner, with its plants expected to contribute nearly half of the country’s iPhone production within the next two years. Its Hosur factory in Tamil Nadu and Foxconn’s new facility near Bangalore airport are already online and producing at scale.
Export Growth Surges
The production pivot is yielding tangible gains. Between April and July, India exported $7.5 billion worth of iPhones, almost half of last fiscal year’s total exports of $17 billion. These values, measured at factory-gate prices, highlight the rapid growth of Apple’s India output.
A Strategic Realignment
In the 12 months ending March 2025, Apple assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India, representing about 20% of global iPhone production. What began as a response to strict Covid lockdowns in China has now become a long-term realignment, fueled further by ongoing US-China trade frictions and tariff policies under President Trump’s administration.