Foxconn ramps up iPhone 17 assembly in India as Apple plans long-term manufacturing shift from China to India.
This is the first time India will manufacture a new iPhone model at the same time as China. Apple also plans to shift US-bound iPhone production to India by 2026, reducing reliance on China amid supply chain concerns.
Foxconn has begun trial production of the iPhone 17 in India, marking Apple’s most advanced local manufacturing effort yet. Key components, including display panels, glass covers, rear cameras, and mechanical housings, have been imported from China to the Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu, according to customs data.
Apple is expected to start mass production by August, ahead of the iPhone 17’s expected September launch. Around 10% of Foxconn’s June imports were linked to iPhone 17 models, with the rest supporting existing iPhone 14 and 16 assembly lines.
India was added to Apple’s New Product Introduction (NPI) process in 2024, starting with the iPhone 16 base model. This early involvement helps Indian teams work on design validation and pre-launch calibration.
However, challenges remain. Over 300 Chinese engineers, crucial to training local teams and ensuring precision in assembly, have reportedly been recalled. These specialists were critical to ensuring manufacturing accuracy, particularly in camera and display module alignment.
Despite this, Indian government officials say production schedules remain unchanged.
Apple’s growing investment highlights India’s rising role in global electronics manufacturing, supported by policy incentives, local capacity, and a gradual shift away from China.
