Apple Looking To Make Apple Watch, MacBook Models In Vietnam, Cut Dependency On China

Marking a big change in Apple's dependency on China for production needs, the tech giant would make Apple Watch and MacBook in Vietnam for the first time.

Vietnam is an important production hub for Apple outside China as it makes a range of flagship products for the iPhone maker, including iPad models and Apple AirPods. Image: Getty

Marking a big change in Apple's dependency on China for production needs, the tech giant would make Apple Watch and MacBook in Vietnam for the first time. Apple contract manufacturers Foxconn and Luxshare Precision Industry have already launched test production of the Apple Watch in northern Vietnam, says a report by Nikkei Asia citing people familiar with the development.

Apple has already made Vietnam an important production hub outside of China as the country manufactures a range of flagship products for the iPhone maker, including iPad models and Apple AirPods. It should be noted that the Cupertino, California-headquartered tech giant has been exploring avenues to reduce the geopolitical effects on supply and it is viewing countries other than China as its growth drivers.

According to the Nikkei Asia report, people familiar with the matter were quoted as saying that Apple is also looking to partner with suppliers to launch test production lines for its Apple HomePod speakers in Vietnam. The iPhone maker reduced its production dependency on China post-Covid-19 lockdowns in Shanghai which led to severe supply chain disruptions.

Now, the iPhone maker is considering Vietnam to manufacture its MacBook models and Apple Watch models. 

Apple to ship India-made iPhone 14 simultaneously with China-made devices

To recall, earlier this month, a noted Apple analyst announced that for the first time, Apple will ship the India-made iPhone 14 simultaneously with the China-made iPhone models in the second half of 2022. Apple is slated to launch the new iPhone 14 lineup in September. According to famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's contract manufacturing partner Foxconn in India will ship the iPhone 14 units from its production facility almost simultaneously with China for the first time ever.

"My latest survey indicates Foxconn's iPhone production site in India will ship the new 6.1" iPhone 14 almost simultaneously with China for the first time in 2H22 (India being one quarter or more behind in the past)," Kuo, Analyst at TFI International Securities tweeted.

The Apple iPhone 14 series is said to be unveiled next month and it seems like the tech giant has high hopes for the upcoming lineup's initial sales. The company had begun the trial production of the iPhone 14 series and mass production of the lineup in July. The iPhone 14 series may go official sometime in September and the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro are likely to feature the same screen size.