Korean Media: One in Four iPhones Sold Globally Are Made in India!
On April 9, South Korean media outlet Today's Finance published an article stating that Apple's global supply chain structure is undergoing rapid transformation.
One out of every four iPhones sold worldwide is now produced in India.
It is reported that Apple’s iPhone production volume in India increased by approximately 53% year-on-year last year, accounting for about 25% of total production.
In 2024, India’s output reached around 36 million units, rising to about 55 million units in 2025. Considering Apple’s annual iPhone production ranges between 220 million and 230 million units, India has rapidly evolved from a supplementary manufacturing base into a core production hub within just a few years.
Analysts suggest that the high tariffs imposed on Chinese-made iPhones in 2025 have been a key factor accelerating Apple and its partners’ shift of production bases.
The Indian government has also been providing subsidies through its Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) program to actively promote industrial manufacturing. These incentives have partially mitigated concerns regarding India’s weak logistics infrastructure and supply chain challenges.
Production structures are also changing. Previously, Indian factories mainly assembled older or low-end iPhone models, but they have now expanded to include the latest flagship devices.
It is reported that Apple has recently established a synchronized production system for all models in the iPhone 17 series, with manufacturing taking place both in China and India.
Major partners such as Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatron are now responsible for producing high-end models in India. Apple is moving beyond mere assembly, expanding its core component supply chain into India. To source various components—including lithium batteries—locally, Apple is intensifying collaboration with Indian suppliers.
India’s domestic market is also growing rapidly. Apple’s annual sales in India have already surpassed $9 billion. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Apple holds approximately a 12% share in India’s premium smartphone market.
Apple plans to launch its Apple Pay payment service in India by the end of this year, while further strengthening its competitiveness in the market through expanded retail network development.
However, industry experts believe India still faces numerous unresolved challenges before it can replace China as the world’s manufacturing hub.
It is reported that India’s smartphone manufacturing subsidy policy has already ended, and Apple is currently negotiating with Samsung Electronics over additional incentive measures.
Experts analyze that for India to become a global manufacturing center, maintaining cost competitiveness and improving logistics efficiency will be critical tasks.
Original Source: toutiao.com/article/1861993148557312/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.