New Delhi: In a major strategic pivot, Apple is set to move the entire assembly of iPhones sold in the United States to India by the end of 2026, according to a Financial Times report citing sources familiar with the company’s plans. The shift is aimed at mitigating the impact of escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and diversifying Apple’s global supply chain.
This transition marks Apple’s most significant manufacturing realignment in decades and will affect the production of over 60 million iPhones annually. The company currently assembles most of its devices in China through partners like Foxconn, but rising tariffs—some exceeding 100%—have made continued reliance on Chinese assembly increasingly costly.
In contrast, India offers a more favorable tariff regime, with ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. potentially making the country even more attractive as a production hub. U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently confirmed positive progress in trade discussions with India.
Apple has been ramping up production in India through Foxconn and Tata Electronics, assembling models such as the iPhone 13, 14, 16, and 16e. Exports to the U.S. from India have already hit $5.3 billion this year, with Foxconn alone accounting for $1.31 billion in March.
Alongside manufacturing, Apple is expanding its retail presence in India, planning four new Apple Stores in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai. The company has also created over 3,000 jobs and posted hundreds of new vacancies in both manufacturing and retail operations.
India’s growing role in global tech manufacturing is being mirrored by other major players. Samsung is considering moving smartphone production from Vietnam to India, and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is exploring similar shifts for its Pixel phones with partners like Dixon Technologies and Foxconn.
