Apple Expands Manufacturing to India
According to a Bloomberg report, Foxconn, one of Apple’s major partners, is already preparing to manufacture the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in Tamil Nadu. The company has begun training thousands of workers to handle the production of these high-end models.
Foxconn is expected to start assembly shortly after the global release of these devices. In addition, other Apple partners in India, including Pegatron’s local unit and the Tata Group, will also contribute to the assembly process.
Price Reductions Expected with Local Assembly
This move is anticipated to have a direct impact on the pricing of these high-end models. Currently, iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max units imported into India incur import duties, which significantly increase their retail prices. However, with local assembly, Apple aims to reduce these costs by up to 10%. Despite this reduction, the prices in India are still likely to remain higher compared to other global markets due to the cost of expensive components and local taxes.
A noteworthy aspect of this production shift is that most of the iPhone 16 Pro models assembled in India will be exported to markets like Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. This is due to relatively lower demand for these high-end models within India itself.
This move is historic for Apple, as it marks the first time the company will manufacture its Pro series iPhones outside of China. Apple has been assembling iPhones in India for the past seven years, and this new development is expected to boost the country’s share of total iPhone production from 14% to 25% by next year. There are even rumors that Apple might commence production of the iPhone 17 exclusively in India.
Leaked Details of iPhone 16 Launch Event
Meanwhile, a recent leak has hinted at the upcoming iPhone 16 launch event. According to tipster Majin Bu, the new iPhone series will be unveiled on September 10 at Apple Park. The event poster features the phrase “Ready. Set. Capture” and invites attendees to the Steve Jobs Theatre. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had previously suggested this date, though he noted that some anticipated AI features might not be available until the iOS 18.1 update in October.
iPhone 16 New Features and Design Changes
The iPhone 16 series is expected to introduce several new features and design enhancements. The Pro models are rumored to sport a glossy titanium finish, offering improved scratch resistance and a more premium look compared to previous models. They will feature larger displays—6.3 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max—with narrower bezels to provide an expansive viewing experience. The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will likely maintain similar designs to their predecessors but will be powered by the new A18 Bionic and A18 Pro processors, respectively.
All iPhone 16 models will run on iOS 18, which will bring advanced AI capabilities, including enhanced Siri features and new text tools.
