Cupertino-based tech giant Apple has started local production of iPhone 11 in India reports, The Economic Times. Union Minister Piyush Goel also tweeted that the brand’s move is a significant boost to Make in India initiative. Apple is making its flagship 2019 offering at its Foxconn plant in Chennai. Apart from Foxconn, the company also has a Wistron factory in Bengaluru. To recall, the original iPhone SE was the first smartphone to be made in India way back in 2017 and the iPhone XR is the most recent device.
According to the report, Apple plans to step up the production of iPhone 11 in phases and also export the Made in India models. Locally manufacturing iPhone 11 would help the company to save 22 percent tax on imports. It’s unlikely that Apple would slash the prices of the device but industry experts hint at the possibility in the near future. It will allow the brand to take advantage of the benefits under the government’s production linked incentive (PIL) scheme. The move to produce iPhone 11 in India will also help Apple reduce its manufacturing dependency on China.
India is becoming an important smartphone market for manufacturers and Apple is reportedly keen on expanding its facilities in the country. Foxconn is set to invest $1 billion in India to move iPhone production out of China. Apple’s other manufacturer Pegatron is reported to set up its plant and has registered a subsidiary in the country.
Apple currently makes iPhone XR at Foxconn and iPhone 7 at Wistron facility. The Cupertino brand plans to assemble its 2020 iPhone SE at Wistron factory where the original iPhone SE was produced as well.