Foxconn, one of the key Apple product makers, has started manufacturing Apple AirPods for export at its facility in Hyderabad and is also set to kickstart operations to increase iPhone production in the country, Moneycontrol reported. The development comes at a time when Apple is doubling its efforts to make India its manufacturing hub, especially amid the ongoing US-China trade war posing a serious threat to its supply chain.
“Yes, Apple AirPods production at Foxconn’s new Hyderabad facility has started for export purposes. The new Bengaluru facility will soon start operations for iPhone production and will play a key role in ramping up exports from India...The new plant will have a peak capacity of 20 million units per annum,” Moneycontrol reported, citing a source.
Due to the 145% tariff slapped by US President Donald Trump on imports from China, Apple is pinning all its hopes on India. The company has reportedly set a target to shift the production of over 60 million iPhones on a yearly basis to Indian factories by the end of 2026 to meet the demand of its customers in the US.
Apple’s India Expansion Spree
Foxconn’s facility in Karnataka’s Devanahalli, under construction with an investment of $2.8 billion, will be its second-largest facility outside China. Besides this, the Taiwanese company has started manufacturing trials of the iPhone 17 series in India in partnership with Tata Electronics, which is reportedly involved in the production of components like casings for the new lineup.
Tata Group’s electronics company has started production at its Hosur plant and is presently involved in assembling older-generation iPhones. Following the acquisition of Indian factories of Taiwanese contract manufacturers Pegatron and Wistron, Tata Electronics has emerged as Apple’s second key supplier after Foxconn.
In 2024, Apple manufactured nearly 40-45 million iPhones in India, which is hardly 18-20% of its global output, according to IDC data.
