Apple will manufacture the new iPhone 14 in India, the US group announced on Monday, as part of its efforts to diversify production and end dependence on China.
According to Agence France-Presse, Apple said in a brief statement: “We are pleased to manufacture phones (iPhone 14) in India.”
This announcement comes a few weeks after Apple released a new version of its smartphones.
Canalys Technologies analyst Sanyam Chaurasia said that the US group will start production of iPhone 14 phones in India much earlier than previous models.
The iPhone production line is currently headquartered mainly in China, but analysts say the country’s “zero Covid” policy to combat the pandemic and tensions with the US has stalled production.
The California-based company manufactures older iPhones in India through Taiwanese manufacturers such as Foxconn, which has a factory in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
“Over the past two years, (Apple) has accelerated the diversification of its manufacturing chain (leaning towards) India,” Chaurasia told AFP.
He added that about 7.5 million iPhones were produced in India last year, about 3 percent of Apple’s total production.
Apple’s decision will support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Made in India” strategy, which encourages foreign companies to make goods in his country.
