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In another groundbreaking announcement from India, Apple Inc. is set to release its latest iPhone 15 model, assembled in India, on the day of its global launch. This marks a significant shift from the company’s traditional strategy of primarily selling Chinese-manufactured devices worldwide.
Apple plans to make the India-built iPhone 15 available in India and select global markets on the day of its global sales debut, according to reports from Bloomberg. While the majority of iPhone 15 units will still originate from China, this move showcases India’s burgeoning manufacturing capabilities and underscores Apple’s efforts to diversify its production beyond China.
Production of the iPhone 15 commenced last month at Foxconn Technology Group’s factory in southern Tamil Nadu, India. However, potential logistical challenges may result in slight delays for the India-assembled devices.
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Apple is scheduled to unveil the iPhone 15, alongside updated watches and AirPods, at a gala event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. Typically, new products become available for purchase approximately 10 days after their unveiling.
Before the iPhone 14, only a small fraction of Apple’s global production occurred in India, with a substantial lag compared to Chinese production. However, last year saw a significant reduction in this delay, with India’s share of iPhone assembly reaching 7% by the end of March.
This shift can be attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s incentives to boost local manufacturing and Apple’s strategy to reduce its reliance on China amid trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The iPhone 15 is expected to be a major update, featuring camera system enhancements across the range and an improved 3-nanometer processor in the Pro models. This release is crucial for revitalizing Apple’s sales, as the company reported declining sales in key markets like the US, China, and Europe in recent quarters.
Furthermore, other Apple suppliers in India, including Pegatron Corp. and a Wistron Corp. factory soon to be acquired by the Tata Group, are likely to join in assembling the iPhone 15.
Apple, which recently opened its first retail stores in India, views the country as both a growing retail market and a vital production hub for its products. During the quarter ending in June, iPhone sales in India experienced double-digit growth, although specific figures were not disclosed by Apple.
