news

한어Русский языкEnglishFrançaisIndonesianSanskrit日本語DeutschPortuguêsΕλληνικάespañolItalianoSuomalainenLatina

News on August 21,appleThe company produced its highest-endiPhone Pro and Pro Max models, which is a major milestone for both Apple and Indian manufacturing.

According to anonymous sources, as Apple launches new models this fall,SmartphoneIts main foundry partner Foxconn will start assembling these new flagship devices in a few weeks. Foxconn has begun training tens of thousands of workers at its factory in Tamil Nadu, southern India, to produce the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max as soon as possible after the global launch of the iPhone.

Apple is producing its entire iPhone range in India, a major milestone for the company's local development. The plan began in 2021, thanks to a series of fiscal incentives introduced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attract high-end manufacturing. Although Apple still produces the vast majority of iPhones in China, the company is gradually diversifying its production base to reduce its dependence on a single market.

Apple assembled $14 billion worth of iPhones in India in the fiscal year ending March 2024, accounting for about 14% of its global production. Like last year, Apple is expected to launch the standard iPhone 16 made in India on the same day as the global launch of the new generation of iPhone series.

Apple's other foundry partners in India, including Pegatron India and Tata Group, may also soon start producing the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. High-end models are usually equipped with larger capacity batteries, better cameras and titanium alloy bodies, so more professional production lines are required.

Representatives for Apple, Foxconn and Pegatron declined to comment, and Tata did not respond to a request for comment.

India, currently the world's most populous country, is emerging as an important market for Apple. As India's middle class grows, Apple's iconic device, the iPhone, is seen as a status symbol. Last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited India to open the country's first two Apple retail stores. Apple's annual sales in India are approaching a record $8 billion.

People familiar with the matter revealed that by the end of this year, iPhones made in India will be able to meet local demand. Since India imposes import tariffs on imported products, the price of locally assembled iPhone Pro models may be about 10% lower than imported devices. However, the expensive import costs of components and local taxes will still make the price of iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in the Indian market higher than in some overseas markets with lower or no taxes.

Although demand for high-end iPhone models in India is relatively small, Apple plans to export most of its iPhone Pro and Pro Max units made in India to Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. But the upcoming holiday season could boost sales in India.

"As the price gap narrows, producing the Pro models in India will encourage more consumers to buy the products locally rather than in overseas markets," said Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia. "Various installment payment options will drive Apple's sales in India, especially during the festive season."

Apple still gets about half of its global revenue from the iPhone, but sales of the product have struggled in recent quarters. The new iPhone 16 series will be equipped with better cameras, processors and displays.

Analysts pointed out that Apple's sales in the Indian market have increased by 33% in the past 12 months to a record of nearly $8 billion. Against the backdrop of increasingly fierce competition in the Chinese mobile phone market, this growth is good news for Apple. Given that Apple's market share in India is still low, the Indian market will become an important growth engine for Apple's revenue. It is estimated that by 2030, Apple's sales in the Indian market may reach $33 billion, mainly due to the increase in the purchasing power of the local middle class and more people using installment plans to buy Apple products. (Chenchen)