Apple Boosts iPhone Production in India by 53%, Now Makes a Quarter of Global Output

New Delhi — Tech giant Apple has significantly expanded its manufacturing operations in India, increasing iPhone production in the country by about 53 per cent in 2025. According to reports, around 55 million iPhones were assembled in India this year, up from roughly 36 million units in 2024.

A report by Bloomberg said the company now manufactures nearly a quarter of its global iPhone output in India, as it continues to diversify production away from China and reduce tariff-related risks.

Globally, Apple produces around 220–230 million iPhones each year. India’s growing share in that output has been driven largely by the government-backed Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme aimed at boosting domestic electronics manufacturing and exports.

Industry experts note that these incentives have helped offset challenges such as weaker supply chains and higher logistics costs in India compared with established manufacturing hubs like China.

The Cupertino-based company is now assembling the entire lineup of the iPhone 17 series in India, including premium models such as the Pro and Pro Max variants. Production is being handled by major suppliers including Foxconn Technology Group, Tata Electronics and Pegatron Corp..

Earlier models like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 are also being assembled locally, catering both to domestic demand and export markets.

Apple is simultaneously expanding its presence in the Indian retail market. The company currently operates six stores across the country and is preparing to introduce Apple Pay in India later this year, as its sales in the country have crossed $9 billion.

With the five-year PLI incentive window set to end in March 2026, companies including Samsung and Apple are reportedly in discussions with the Indian government for a new round of incentives aimed at sustaining the growth of electronics exports.

Despite improvements, analysts say electronics manufacturing in India still remains costlier than in China or Vietnam, making policy support crucial to maintain competitiveness.

Meanwhile, iPhones emerged as India’s most valuable export product in 2025, with shipments worth about $23 billion, largely heading to the United States. Smartphones also became the country’s top export category for the first time, reaching a total export value of $30.13 billion during the January–December period, with Apple contributing nearly 76 per cent of the total smartphone exports.

With inputs from IANS