Tag: Foxconn

  • 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 Offers Apple Up to 15 Years of Tax Stability to Boost Manufacturing

    India Offers Apple Up to 15 Years of Tax Stability to Boost Manufacturing

    India is planning to provide Apple with up to 15 years of tax certainty for its manufacturing operations, a move designed to encourage the iPhone maker to expand production, invest in new facilities, and deepen its manufacturing footprint in the country.

    Under the proposed plan, the tax certainty would extend until March 31, 2041, up from the current deadline of 2031. The existing framework was introduced in February 2026 as part of the Union Budget for 2026–27 and was registered as Clause 109 of the Finance Bill, which amended Schedule IV of the Income-tax Act 2025.

    The proposal is linked to India’s business connection rules, which determine how foreign companies are taxed when operating in the country. A predictable tax environment helps companies plan long-term investments without fear of sudden policy changes. For a business investing billions in factories and supply chains, such stability is critical.

    In India, Apple funds the high-precision machinery used by Foxconn and Tata Electronics to assemble iPhones. Building new factories is a long-term commitment that requires years to set up production, hire workers, and develop supplier networks. Stable tax rules reduce business risks and make these decisions easier.

    The initiative builds on a 2016 agreement between Apple CEO Tim Cook and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish a production base in India that goes beyond simple assembly. If approved, the extended tax certainty could help India attract more global manufacturers, strengthen its role in Apple’s worldwide supply chain, and bring additional jobs, investment, and exports to the country.