According to a recent report by TrendForce, Apple is planning to expand its manufacturing operations in India by producing the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models there. The Cupertino-based company will partner with Tata Group, which will handle the assembly of the devices.
This move by Apple is driven by the need to diversify its supply sources due to geopolitical and pandemic-related concerns. India has emerged as a prominent location for such manufacturing transfers, and Tata Group is expected to become the fourth assembler for Apple’s iPhones, joining the likes of Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron.
Initially, Tata Group will receive small orders for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, indicating a gradual ramp-up of their involvement. The report suggests several implications of Apple’s relocation plan. Firstly, India will be among the first countries to receive shipments of the new iPhone series when it launches in September. Secondly, Tata Group’s entry into iPhone assembly will likely coincide with Wistron’s exit from the Indian market. Notably, Tata Group already owns a Wistron iPhone manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.
With this development, Tata Group will become the fourth company to undertake iPhone assembly in India, starting with the iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2020.
As for the iPhone 15 series itself, it is expected to debut in September and may consist of four models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These devices will be equipped with Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset and will run the latest version of iOS software.
Overall, Apple’s decision to expand its manufacturing operations in India signals the company’s efforts to diversify its supply chain while also tapping into the country’s growing smartphone market.
