New Delhi: Apple has started shipping the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max made in India to international markets, including the US, ahead of their global sales launch on September 18. Several chartered flights have reportedly departed from Chennai carrying the new Pro models to ensure they are available on store shelves in the US and other markets.
The development marks the first time Apple’s latest Pro iPhone models are being manufactured in India from day one, according to an India Today report citing information from the Economic Times. The move represents another expansion of Apple’s manufacturing footprint in India as the company increasingly uses the country as a major production and export base.
iPhone 18 Pro production begins in India
Apple’s manufacturing facilities in India have been preparing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max for the global launch.
According to the report, two factories are currently involved in assembling the Pro models — one operated by Foxconn and another by Tata Electronics. Depending on international demand, Apple could increase the number of assembly lines to nearly a dozen.
The move marks an important change from Apple’s earlier manufacturing approach, under which the newest Pro models were initially produced elsewhere before Indian manufacturing was expanded.
This year’s iPhone 18 Pro launch therefore puts India closer to the centre of Apple’s global production strategy, particularly for devices intended for export.
Chartered flights carry iPhones from Chennai
Apple has reportedly arranged several chartered flights from Chennai to transport the India-made iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to international markets.
The shipments are intended to ensure that the devices reach retailers in the US and other regions around the time global sales begin. Additional chartered flights are reportedly expected as Apple prepares to meet demand.
The use of chartered aircraft highlights the importance of synchronising production and deliveries for Apple’s global launch schedule.
India is also becoming an increasingly important export hub for the company, with a substantial share of locally assembled iPhones being shipped outside the country.
Up to 90% production may be exported
According to the report, around 80% to 90% of the total iPhone 18 Pro series production in India is expected to be exported.
The Pro and Pro Max models are estimated to account for around 15% of iPhones sold in India, making the export market particularly important for the India-based manufacturing programme.
The high export share indicates that Apple’s Indian operations are not focused only on meeting domestic demand.
Instead, factories in the country are increasingly being integrated into Apple’s international supply chain, supplying smartphones to markets including the US.
iPhone 17 set the earlier precedent
Apple had already begun exporting India-made iPhones globally from the first day of sales with the standard iPhone 17 last year.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max now extend that approach to Apple’s premium Pro models.
However, Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is not currently being manufactured in India, according to the report.
The distinction shows that Apple’s manufacturing expansion in India is progressing across selected models and components rather than covering its entire product portfolio.
India emerges as major US smartphone supplier
The expansion of Apple’s Indian production comes as the US becomes an increasingly important destination for smartphones manufactured in India.
Prachir Singh, senior research analyst at Counterpoint Research, told India Today Tech that India has overtaken China as the largest source of US smartphone imports, with Apple’s shift of iPhone assembly to Foxconn and Tata facilities in India playing a major role.
Singh attributed the shift partly to Apple’s efforts to reduce exposure to China-specific tariffs in its US supply chain.
Counterpoint Research estimates that 26% of all iPhones shipped globally in 2026 could be made in India, which would mean roughly one in every four iPhones shipped during the year could come from Indian manufacturing facilities.
Apple’s India manufacturing ecosystem expands
Apple’s manufacturing operations in India now extend beyond basic final assembly.
Rishi Padhi, principal analyst at Gartner, told India Today Tech that India handles activities including final assembly, testing, enclosures, selected mechanical components, battery packs, chargers, cables, packaging, tooling and some subassemblies.
However, a significant portion of the most technically complex components continues to be imported.
These include displays, camera modules, advanced semiconductors, memory and several important electronic subassemblies, according to Padhi.
This means that while India’s role in Apple’s supply chain is expanding, the country has not yet developed domestic manufacturing capabilities across every stage of the iPhone production process.
Foxconn and Tata Electronics play key roles
Foxconn and Tata Electronics are central to Apple’s expanding manufacturing operations in India.
The two companies are operating facilities involved in assembling the iPhone 18 Pro series, according to the report. Apple could increase production lines depending on demand, potentially taking the number of assembly lines close to a dozen.
The involvement of Tata Electronics is also significant because it reflects the growing role of Indian companies in Apple’s electronics supply chain.
As production expands, additional suppliers and component manufacturers could become part of the ecosystem surrounding Apple’s manufacturing facilities.
iPhone 18 Pro goes on sale globally
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are scheduled to go on sale globally on September 18, with India also included in the first wave of availability. Apple is opening sales in India from 8 am IST through its online store, while availability at some physical stores is expected to be limited initially.
Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro series on September 9. The new models feature the company’s A20 Pro chip, a variable-aperture camera system and deeper Siri AI integration. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 in India, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900 for the 256GB version.
The India-made Pro models reaching international markets alongside the global launch underline the growing importance of the country’s manufacturing operations.
India becomes more important to Apple’s supply chain
Apple’s decision to manufacture the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in India from launch day represents another step in the company’s expansion of production outside China.
The shipment of India-made Pro models to the US and other markets also shows that Indian factories are increasingly being used for global supply rather than just domestic sales.
With Foxconn and Tata Electronics expanding production and Apple potentially adding more assembly lines, India’s role in the company’s supply chain could continue to grow.
At the same time, analysts point out that several high-value components are still imported, meaning the next phase of India’s electronics manufacturing expansion will depend partly on developing a deeper local component ecosystem.
For now, the arrival of India-made iPhone 18 Pro models in global markets marks a significant milestone for Apple’s manufacturing operations in the country and India’s position as a major smartphone export hub.