In a significant milestone for India's tech manufacturing
sector, Apple has started the early production phase of the iPhone 17 base
model in India. This marks the first time that the Cupertino-based tech giant
is conducting its New Product Introduction (NPI) process outside of China—a
move that signals a major strategic shift in Apple’s global production roadmap.
The iPhone 17 base model, internally codenamed V57, is
currently in development at Foxconn’s Bengaluru facility. The NPI phase, which
spans between October and May, involves transforming prototype designs into
mass-producible devices. This includes extensive testing of materials,
manufacturing equipment, and production processes. Apple and Foxconn engineers—including Indian personnel—are actively engaged in ensuring production
standards.
According to insiders, the iPhone 17 has already passed an
early production benchmark known as "proto-1", where thousands of
units are manufactured to evaluate build quality. While the iPhone 17 Pro and
rumoured iPhone 17 Air are still being developed in China, this Indian NPI
effort is being seen as a major breakthrough for Apple's India manufacturing
strategy.
Apple has steadily grown its production footprint in India
since 2017, starting with the iPhone SE. As of 2024, the company manufactures all
four models of the iPhone 16, including Pro variants, within the country. Bloomberg
reports Apple exported $6 billion worth of made-in-India iPhones this year, up
30% from 2023.
Beyond manufacturing, Apple is expanding retail operations
across India. After launching its first stores in Mumbai and Delhi last year,
the company is preparing to open four additional locations and has already
begun hiring.
Despite remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump
discouraging Apple’s India shift, the company’s commitment appears strong. A
new Foxconn campus housing 30,000 employees is underway, and Tata Electronics
is now assembling iPhone 16 models at its South India facility.
Apple’s decision to pilot iPhone 17 manufacturing in India
may set the stage for more global supply chain diversification, reinforcing the
nation’s growing role as a tech manufacturing hub.
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