Apple Inc. is gearing up to enhance the volume of new iPhones originating from India, with reports suggesting that the upcoming iPhone 15 will be manufactured in Tamil Nadu. A Foxconn Technology Group facility in Sriperumbudur is making preparations to produce these latest devices shortly after their launch in Chinese factories.
This move is aimed at reducing the operational time gap between India and China. Anticipated to be announced on September 12, 2023, the iPhone 15 is expected to bring the most substantial update to the device in three years.
All About iPhone 15 Production by Foxconn
The extent of iPhone production in India will be influenced by the availability of components, many of which are imported. Production capacity has been increased at the Chennai facility. Prior to the iPhone 14, Apple’s Indian assembly was comparatively minimal, trailing China’s output by several months. This lag was diminished last year, with India contributing 7% of iPhone production by March’s end.
Apple’s current objective is to minimize the timing difference in shipments between India and China, although suppliers remain uncertain about achieving this parity, as per Bloomberg sources. Other Apple suppliers in India, including Pegatron Corp. and a Wistron Corp. factory soon to be acquired by the Tata Group, are also set to assemble the iPhone 15.
Additionally, reports indicate that Apple will commence AirPods wireless earbuds production at Foxconn’s Hyderabad facility. The Hyderabad plant, backed by a $400 million investment from Foxconn, is anticipated to commence large-scale manufacturing by December 2024.
As for the iPhone 15’s features, cost, and release date, it is anticipated to introduce a Dynamic Island feature, offering a punch-hole display across all iPhone 15 variants. The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to incorporate Apple’s next-gen A17 Bionic chip, while the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus may feature an A16 Bionic chip.
The pricing structure for the iPhone 15 series may see increases, particularly for the Pro models. The iPhone 15’s pricing might start at $799 in the US and ₹79,900 in India, remaining consistent with the iPhone 13. However, the iPhone 15 Pro’s price could increase to $1,099, potentially resulting in a ₹10,000 increase in India’s market price. While the iPhone 15 series is anticipated to launch on September 13, a Bloomberg report suggests the date could either be September 13 or September 12.
