In a big shift, tech giant Apple is set to manufacture its upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models in India, marking the first time the company's high-end Pro series iPhones will be produced outside of China. According to a report from news agency Bloomberg, Foxconn India, Apple's biggest manufacturing partner, will begin assembling the latest Pro-series iPhones at its facilities in India within weeks of their global launch. This move represents a strategic decision by Apple to diversify its iPhone production operations, which have traditionally been centered in China.
India Important Market For iPhone
India has been an important market for Apple's iPhone lineup, with the country accounting for 14 per cent of the company's total iPhone output as of earlier this year. This figure is expected to grow to 25 per cent as early as 2025, as Apple continues to ramp up its manufacturing presence in the region.
The move to produce the iPhone 16 Pro series in India also paves the way for the company to potentially shift the production of its upcoming iPhone 17 lineup entirely to the country, further solidifying India's role in Apple's global manufacturing strategy. As Apple navigates the shifting global supply chain landscape, the decision to manufacture the iPhone 16 Pro series in India underscores the tech giant's commitment to diversifying its manufacturing operations and reducing its reliance on a single production hub in China.
Apple Diversifying iPhone Production Beyond China
The tech giant is taking steps to reduce its reliance on China for iPhone production, industry sources have revealed. While the vast majority of iPhones are still made in China, the company is gradually expanding its manufacturing partnerships to other countries.
In addition to its longstanding China-based suppliers, Apple has now enlisted the help of Pegatron Corporation's India unit and India's Tata Group to begin production of the higher-end iPhone Pro models. These flagship devices typically feature larger batteries, enhanced camera systems, and premium titanium bodies, requiring more specialized manufacturing capabilities.
The move comes as US-China tensions continue to simmer, raising concerns about potential supply chain disruptions.
Meanwhile, we are weeks away from the much-anticipated launch of the purported Apple iPhone 16 lineup and dummy units of the series have surfaced online, providing a good glimpse into the design of the upcoming devices. The images, shared by Reddit user Kaxeno (u/kaxeno5), showcase the device's rear panel and hint at significant changes to the camera layout.
Vertical Camera Arrangement In iPhone 16
The most notable feature in the leaked images is the vertically aligned dual rear camera unit. This design shift from the diagonal arrangement found on the iPhone 15 suggests that Apple may be expanding spatial video recording capabilities to its standard models. Previously, this feature was exclusive to the iPhone Pro models.