Apple will make iPhone 14 in India two months after launch

Apple Inc plans to begin manufacturing the iPhone 14 in India about two months after the product’s initial release out of China. The launch of the iPhone 14 series is anticipated for next month. This year, according to the leaks, the company will introduce four new iPhone models: the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max/Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Previously, it was said that due to lockdown in China and supply chain issues globally, the iPhone 14 series launch could be delayed. But, in the last few months, the company has been ramping up production to release the upcoming iPhone models on time.

Apple to start manufacturing iPhone 14 in India

The company has been working with suppliers to ramp up manufacturing in India and shorten the lag in production of the new iPhone from the typical six to nine months for previous launches, according to people familiar with the matter. A new report from Bloomberg Tuesday states that Apple “plans to begin manufacturing the iPhone 14 in India about two months after the product’s initial release out of China.” 

The Bloomberg report stated that Apple is working with suppliers to ramp up manufacturing in India and shorten the lag in production of the new iPhone. The company typically partners with suppliers to make the latest iPhone in India after a couple of quarters or so. However, this time around, the new non-Pro iPhone will be made a lot sooner than the typical cycle to narrow the gap between India’s and China’s production cycles.

Analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities Group have said they anticipate the company will ship the next iPhone from both countries at roughly the same time, which would have been a significant benchmark in Apple’s efforts to diversify its supply chain and build redundancy.

The first batch of the new iPhone made in India this year is likely to ship out in late October or November. Compared to the first year, when the company partnered with suppliers to make the iPhone in India in 2017, this will be a lot sooner following the launch of the new iPhone in September. Apple has shown added interest in India, especially after witnessing significant growth in sales, despite being an ultra-premium smartphone brand in the country.

Apple has been gradually ramping up production of iPhones in India, a report in ET also says. Currently, Apple iPhone’s are made in India by three suppliers – Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron. The three Apple suppliers are part of the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and need to make products worth Rs 8,000 crore each year to avail the incentives, giving Apple more reason to shift production to India. Apple’s iPhone 14 is expected to be unveiled early next month. The device should feature camera upgrades, as well as a new always-on display and a redesigned notch for the ‘Pro’ models.