- Apple‘s prominent supplier, Foxconn, has initiated production of the highly anticipated iPhone 15 in India.
- The Foxconn Technology Group plant in Sriperumbudur is preparing to deliver the newest devices.
- The new iPhone that’s likely to be announced on September 12, 2023, might be the biggest update to the device in three years.
Apple Inc. has been in the process of shifting its manufacturing hub from China to India since quite some time now. The tech giant has been aiming to diversify its supply chain as the dynamic between the U.S. and China continues to grow tense. Apple CEO Tim Cook recognises the “huge opportunity” that the Indian market represents, upon meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House this year. In a significant development for the tech company and India, Foxconn, a leading Apple supplier, starts production of the upcoming iPhone 15 in Tamil Nadu, ahead of the new smartphone’s September launch.
Apple typically announces its new lineup of iPhones at its annual event in September. The new iPhone 15 is likely to be announced on September 12, 2023. It’s rumored to be the biggest update to the smartphone device in three years. The Foxconn Technology Group plant in Sriperumbudur is preparing to deliver the newest devices only weeks after they start shipping from factories in China. Apple’s decision to ‘Make In India’ amplifies the message that our country has the best technological infrastructure and is fully capable of handling production for various global electronics brands.
Also Read: Everything You Should Know About WhatsApp Branded Shares From ShareChat
About Foxconn
Also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., Taiwan-based Foxconn is the world’s largest multinational electronics contract manufacturer. With over 1.8 million employees worldwide, Foxconn’s clientele include Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Sony. Founded in 1974 by Terry Gou, Foxconn is known for its high-volume manufacturing of electronic products at a low-cost. They’re a major player in the global electronics industry. The company also diversified into other businesses, such as telecommunications, robotics, and artificial intelligence. They are investing in new technologies like electric vehicles and semiconductors as well.
Take a look at some of the products that Foxconn manufactures:
- iPhones
- iPads
- MacBooks
- Apple Watches
- PlayStations
- Xbox consoles
- Dell laptops
- HP laptops
- Samsung smartphones
- Sony TVs
- Sharp refrigerators
- Whirlpool washing machines
- Cisco routers
- Nokia telecom equipment
Apple’s Plan Of Action
Before the iPhone 14, Apple had only a small percentage of its iPhones being assembled in India, causing a lag in market availability by six to nine months as compared to China. That delay was minimised last year as the company produced 7% of its iPhones in India at the end of March. Currently, their goal is to move closer to parity on shipment timing from India and China.
The scale of production of iPhones in India will largely depend on the ready availability of the components, especially those that are largely imported. The production lines have been ramped up at the Chennai facility. Apart from Foxconn, the other Apple suppliers in the market include Pegatron Corp. in Tamil Nadu and the Wistron Corp. factory that is being acquired by the Tata Group in Bengaluru. All of these major supplier groups are in the works to assemble iPhone 15 in India.
iPhone 15: What To Expect
The highly anticipated iPhone 15 is going to be loaded with exciting new features. Apple is planning to introduce a prominent addition called the ‘Dynamic Island feature‘, which promises to bring a punch-hole display to all variants of the smartphone. This means users can expect a sleeker design with thinner bezels and a larger display. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models are expected to have an A16 Bionic chip.
The iPhone 15 Pro models would be equipped with Apple’s next-generation A17 Bionic chip, manufactured based on TSMC’s 3nm process for continued performance and efficiency improvements. These variants are expected to have a 256GB baseline storage itself, a significant jump from the iPhone 14 Pro’s starting point of 128GB.
The Anticipated Cost
It’s being rumoured that the iPhone 15 might be available for $799 in the US and Rs 79,900 in India. This would be the second time Apple would sell the regular model for the same price as the iPhone 13. The iPhone 15 Plus might be priced at $899 or Rs 89,900. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models could experience significant price increases. The iPhone 15 Pro’s price might rise to $1,099 from last year’s $999. In India, the iPhone 14 Pro was introduced with a $300 increase over the US market price. An analyst suggested the iPhone 15 Pro’s price might go up by $99, potentially raising India’s price by Rs 10,000 this time.
Next Up: AirPods Made In India
After the iPhone, AirPods will be the second product category that will be made in India. Apple’s AirPods leads the TWS (true wireless stereo) market globally. The tech company will be commencing the production of its AirPods – wireless earbuds at Foxconn’s facility in Hyderabad. With an approved investment of $400 million by Foxconn, the Hyderabad plant is expected to initiate large-scale manufacturing by December 2024, PTI reported. Post this, Apple may expand AirPods production to other factories later, as was the case with iPhones in India.
We might find out more details about the upcoming Apple iPhone 15 in the days that build up to the official announcement. But, we are elated to know the next iPhone models to follow would be ‘Made In India!’
