iPhone 14: production in India is accelerated to avoid dependence on China

Update (23/08/22) – JB

With launch forecast for the first half of September, the iPhone 14 line should start to be assembled in India in just two months after the official launch. The information was confirmed by new sources this week.

According to people who have access to Apple’s plans, the move is being taken to avoid the company’s total dependence on centralized production in China.

In addition to the Covid zero policy, which closes thousands of factories, and the energy crisis caused by a heat wave, China has also become less attractive after the escalation in tensions with Taiwan.

With that, the first iPhones produced at Foxconn’s factory in Chennai, India, should hit the market in late October or early November.

iPhones built in India are often shipped to other global markets, as are handsets made in China.

For now, Apple remains silent.

Original text (08/05/22)

Unprecedented! iPhone 14 may be produced outside of China at launch

According to the well-known and trusted Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 14 line will be the first to be produced outside of China during its launch. The information was shared after the analyst had access to a series of supply chain reports from the Cupertino company.

My latest research indicates that the Foxconn factory in India will ship the new 6.1-inch iPhone 14 almost simultaneously with China for the first time in the second half of 2022.

For Kuo, this is a considerable evolution for India, as the country always started producing the iPhone after a few months of launch and assembly in China.

Apple usually waits two to three months before starting production in India.

With this unprecedented change, it seems that Apple is finally reaching its goal of decreasing its exposure to China.

As much as India’s production and shipping capabilities still have a considerable gap with what is assembled by the Chinese, this change is a very important milestone. The company is trying to reduce geopolitical impacts on supply and sees the Indian market as the next key growth location.

Of course, the other iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models will continue to be produced in China until a second Foxconn factory is completed in India.

Apple has taken advantage of huge tax breaks provided by the Indian government, with the country even building a new airport that is less than 30 minutes from the company’s Cupertino factory.