Apple Shifts iPhone 17 Production to India, First Full Lineup from New Manufacturing Site
Apple is increasingly manufacturing its iPhone 17 models for the US in India instead of China, marking the first time that the entire lineup will be produced in India at launch, reports 24brussels.
The tech giant is also developing a successor to the iPhone 16E with plans for production in India, as part of a broader strategy to lessen its reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Apple already anticipates incurring $1.1 billion in tariffs for the current quarter; however, exports of iPhones from India to the US remain exempt from such tariffs, despite the Trump administration’s 50 percent tariff on many Indian imports, according to sources.
Despite the relocation of production, much of the assembly process still involves parts manufactured in China before being brought to India for final assembly, an analyst pointed out, suggesting that while tariffs are being mitigated, dependencies remain.
Earlier this month, Apple unveiled a massive $100 billion investment in US manufacturing, building on a previous commitment of $500 billion reported earlier this year. Former President Trump has suggested that companies producing goods domestically would evade future tariffs on imported components, potentially benefiting companies like Apple.
However, recent statements from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicate that the US government plans to increase tariffs on imports from India, citing concerns over India’s engagement with Russian oil amidst ongoing sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine.
