Apple Prepares iPhone 16 Pro Production in India

Apple will produce iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models in India (photo: x @AnxiousHolly).

JAKARTA - Apple is reportedly going to produce the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models in India for the first time. This move is part of Apple's strategy to expand production capacity in the country, which previously only involved lower-spec iPhone models.

According to sources quoted by VOI from Money Control, production of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in India will be carried out at the Foxconn facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. This marks the first time that the Pro models of the flagship iPhone family will be assembled in India.

Apple has been considering producing the Pro models in India for the past few years, with the aim of deepening manufacturing capabilities with partners in the country. For this generation, Apple plans to ensure that the iPhone 16 Pro models assembled in India will be available in the Indian market after the official launch.

The "New Product Introduction" (NPI) process for the iPhone 16 Pro models at the Foxconn facility will begin soon. The same facility is also linked to Foxconn's efforts to expand iPad production in India.

However, while production of the Pro models is expected before the end of the year, they will not be available at launch. Mass production will likely only begin after the launch of the iPhone 16 itself. The initial launch will likely involve imports of the Pro and Pro Max models, with the variants manufactured in India only available in the same fiscal year, similar to the strategy implemented for the iPhone 15 Plus.

The move is expected to be a major revenue generator for Apple, which has seen significant growth in India. In July, Apple's revenue in India increased by 33% for the 12 months ending in March, from $6 billion (IDR 97.6 trillion) to $8 billion (IDR 130.2 trillion).

Additionally, on July 23, the Indian government reduced import tariffs from 20% to 15%. This change not only reduces the cost of importing iPhones into India, but also the cost of components used for assembly in the country.