Tag: Apple manufacturing

  • India-Made iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Enter Global Launch Supply as Foxconn and Tata Expand Production

    India-Made iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Enter Global Launch Supply as Foxconn and Tata Expand Production

    Apple is expanding its India manufacturing push ahead of the global launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with locally assembled units already moving to overseas markets. Multiple chartered flights have reportedly departed from Chennai carrying premium iPhone 18 models as Apple works to secure enough supply for customers when sales begin on September 18.

    The move signals a new phase in Apple’s India production strategy. For the first time, Pro and Pro Max models assembled in India are expected to be available in international markets from day one of global sales. The standard iPhone 17 reached overseas buyers on launch day last year, but Apple’s Pro models previously entered Indian production later in the product cycle.

    Foxconn and Tata Electronics Scale Up Output

    Two Indian plants are currently producing the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: one run by Foxconn and one run by Tata Electronics. Reports indicate that both factories have been operating around the clock as Apple prepares for launch demand.

    Production capacity may grow further as well. Industry reports suggest the number of assembly lines could eventually approach 12, depending on international demand. Apple has not disclosed production volumes or confirmed how many units are allocated to individual countries.

    An estimated 80 to 90 percent of India’s Pro-series output is expected to be exported, with the United States identified as a major destination. That figure is a reported production estimate rather than an Apple-confirmed shipment target.

    Chartered Flights Move iPhones From Chennai

    Speed is central to Apple’s launch logistics. Several chartered aircraft have reportedly carried India-made iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units from Chennai to international markets ahead of the September 18 sales date.

    The US is expected to account for a significant share of those shipments. India has become an increasingly important source of iPhone exports to the US as Apple broadens manufacturing beyond China. Analysts cited by India Today estimate that about 26 percent of all iPhones shipped globally in 2026 could be made in India.

    India’s Growing Role in Apple’s Supply Chain

    Apple’s expanding Pro-series production in India adds to an ecosystem that already includes assembly, testing, enclosures, selected mechanical components, battery packs, chargers, cables, packaging, and other subassemblies. However, several high-value components, including displays, camera modules, memory, and advanced semiconductors, continue to be sourced from outside India.

    The latest shipments also highlight a broader shift: India is moving from serving primarily its domestic market to supporting Apple’s international supply chain. With Pro and Pro Max models now entering global distribution from launch day, Indian factories are becoming part of the launch-time production network rather than a later-stage manufacturing base.

  • India’s Proposed Tax Extension Through 2041 Could Boost Apple’s Manufacturing Expansion

    India’s Proposed Tax Extension Through 2041 Could Boost Apple’s Manufacturing Expansion

    India is considering a significant extension of tax exemptions for foreign electronics companies, a move that could substantially benefit Apple as it ramps up iPhone production in the country. The proposed amendment to tax laws would push the current incentives’ expiration date from 2031 to March 31, 2041, offering long-term fiscal certainty for global manufacturers.

    If approved by both houses of Parliament, the measure would extend tax breaks for foreign companies supplying machinery and components to contract manufacturers. This aligns with India’s broader strategy to solidify its position as a global electronics manufacturing hub, particularly under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

    Apple Poised to Gain from Extended Tax Relief

    According to reports, Apple stands to benefit the most from this proposal. The tech giant had been seeking clarity on India’s tax regime concerning the supply of expensive equipment to its contractors, as ambiguity exposed it to higher tax risks. Under the proposed reforms, foreign firms supplying equipment used in manufacturing phones, tablets, laptops, wearables, and hearing aids would continue to enjoy tax exemptions until 2041.

    The draft also extends tax relief on income derived from storing and supplying electronic components through customs-bonded facilities, encouraging export-oriented manufacturing.

    India’s Electronics Manufacturing Strategy

    This tax extension is part of the government’s efforts to attract global manufacturers and reduce dependence on China. Apple’s manufacturing footprint in India has grown rapidly, with Counterpoint Research projecting that India will produce 26% of the world’s iPhones in 2026, up from just 6% four years ago. Industry experts believe the extended incentives could prompt more multinational electronics companies to invest in local production facilities and strengthen supplier networks.

    “The proposed tax changes will enable foreign companies to store and transfer critical equipment and components in India for their contract manufacturers, helping mitigate supply chain disruptions arising from trade uncertainties while providing greater tax certainty,” said Riaz Thingna, a partner at Grant Thornton Bharat.

    Wider Business Reforms in the Pipeline

    Beyond electronics, the proposed bills aim to improve India’s overall investment climate. For instance, foreign companies using data centers in India to serve global clients would no longer be required to own those facilities, but could lease them instead. Additionally, the bills recommend a 15-year tax exemption for foreign diamond miners and dealers operating through designated trading zones. Analysts say these measures are designed to enhance ease of doing business and provide long-term policy certainty for international investors.

    All these changes are subject to parliamentary approval and would take effect only after the bills are passed.