The iPhone 16 series, produced in India, is set to be available worldwide within the first few days of its global launch. This marks a notable shift in Apple’s production and distribution strategy.
Upcoming Launch and Global Availability
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 16 series on Monday, with global sales expected to commence within 10 to 12 days. Foxconn has already started manufacturing the iPhone 16 series in India, preparing for export and distribution to various cities and countries.
Milestone for Indian Manufacturing
This launch will be the first time a global tech company makes a product manufactured in Indian factories available worldwide so quickly after the start of sales. This achievement highlights the growing role of India in Apple’s manufacturing strategy amid geopolitical tensions affecting production in China.
Production of Pro Models and Expansion
For the first time, Apple will also produce the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models in India. These models will be shipped internationally over the coming months, demonstrating Apple’s commitment to expanding its production footprint in India.
Reducing the Launch Lag
Over the past four years, Apple has worked to close the gap between the launch of iPhones made in India and those produced in China. In 2021, the made-in-India iPhone 13 had a significant delay. By 2022, the gap for the iPhone 14 was reduced to less than two weeks. Last year, the iPhone 15 launched simultaneously from both countries, but the Indian-made versions reached global outlets a few days after the Chinese ones.
Contributions and Future Plans
India currently contributes about 14% to Apple’s global production, doubling from the previous fiscal year. Apple aims to shift 25% of its iPhone production to India by 2025, according to JPMorgan. This move is part of Apple’s strategy to diversify its manufacturing base.
Current Status and Production Figures
The iPhone 16 series will be available to international consumers within the first few days of its retail launch, starting September 10. The series is expected to feature advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
Apple’s contract manufacturers in India—Foxconn Hon Hai, Wistron (now owned by Tata Group), and Pegatron—produced iPhones worth ₹1.20 lakh crore in FY24, with exports valued at ₹85,000 crore. These numbers reflect the freight on board value, with retail prices being approximately 60% higher.
Apple’s Leadership in Mobile Exports
Apple continues to lead mobile phone exports from India and remains a key supporter of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphones, underscoring its commitment to boosting local manufacturing and global distribution.
