Apple’s decision to produce its newly launched iPhone 16 series in India marks a significant shift in the tech giant’s strategy as it looks to diversify its supply chains amid geopolitical challenges, analysts say.
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Historically, the California-based company has relied on China to manufacture and produce all of its high-end smartphone models, while Indian suppliers primarily handled low-end and older versions of the iPhone.
However, new reports indicate that Apple is mass-producing its latest iPhone line-up, including the high-end Pro series, on a large scale in India alongside production in China.
The initiative could be part of Apple’s efforts to build resilience in its supply chain outside China, as relations between Beijing and Washington sour, analysts say, but it also shows increased confidence in India’s hi-tech manufacturing capabilities.
“These moves reflect a broader shift unfolding where major tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon are moving production away from China, given various security and economic risks,” said Karthik Nachiappan, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Institute of South Asian Studies.