Apple has started manufacturing a base version of the iPhone 17 in India. This will certainly be the first instance of how Apple moves to broaden its production base. The company is looking to lessen its dependency on China.
Initially a fire at the Hosur, Tamil Nadu-based Tata iPhone component manufacturing plant raised concerns about Apple's production capacity in India. Putting the dreams of the tech giant to shift its production base in India stalled. Read more
Foxconn's Bengaluru facility is where the ‘New Product Introduction’, also referred to as early manufacturing process, is taking place. This refers to the process of transforming prototype designs into mass-producible devices along with testing various materials and manufacturing techniques.
The bottom-of-the-line iPhone 17 model, known in-house as V57, has already cleared the first production hurdle dubbed "proto-1," wherein tens of thousands of units are made to inspect quality. Engineers tied to Apple and Foxconn-from India are conducting pilot runs as well.
Provided that happens on schedule, Apple wants to finish next summer local line-to-line production of iPhone 17.
This shift in production base will lower operation costs for Apple and proximity to the assembly site, which will allow for mass production of millions of defect-free iPhones daily.
The base model is being developed in India currently. However, the more premium iPhone 17 Pro models and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air are still being developed in China.
This can be determined by the ever-growing footprint the company is creating for Apple manufacturing and retail operations. From 2017, Apple has begun to slowly build its manufacturing business in the country. This move by the company is the most recent step towards reduction of flagship Apple’s iPhones reliance on China.