Apple is reportedly using an Indian factory to produce early iPhone 17
According to a report, Apple is in early production of the iPhone 17 – the supposed successor to the iPhone 16 launched earlier this year – at a factory in India. This is expected to be the first time the Cupertino company has conducted its product development outside of China. In recent years, Apple has worked to diversify its supply chain by producing recent smartphone models in regions such as India and Vietnam, but the company remains dependent on China for most of its production.
The Information quotes two people with knowledge of the company’s plans reports (via 9to5Mac) that Apple conducts early manufacturing operations, or the process of turning an early design developed at Apple Park into a commercial product, at an unspecified factory in India. As part of this process, called new product introduction (or NPI), Apple tests equipment and processes to integrate new hardware upgrades (or new designs) prior to mass production.
This development is in line with TF Securities International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s prediction in November 2023. Kuo had claimed at the time that Apple would begin early development of the iPhone 17 – expected to be released in the second half of 2025 – in India. instead of China.
While Apple has produced recent iPhone models in India and other countries, the decision to start production of the iPhone 17 in India early is significant due to the complexity involved in the process. According to the release, the company typically conducts its NPI for upcoming products in China between October and May.
Apple’s decision to diversify its supply chain outside of China began before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the company began assembling its handsets in India, starting with the iPhone SE in 2017. In 2022, production of the iPhone 14- series in China suffered a brief blow. , following a pandemic-related closure of a Foxconn factory in China. The company has also reportedly started production of its Pro models in the country this year, starting with the iPhone 16 Pro.
