Apple’s first made-in-India iPhone 15 to sell globally on launch day

In a historic development, Apple is set to introduce its latest iPhone models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, as made-in-India devices available for global sale on their launch day. This move represents a significant shift for Apple and a noteworthy milestone for India's manufacturing capabilities. While Apple has previously produced iPhones in India, these earlier attempts were marred by production delays, unable to match the efficiency of their Chinese counterparts. However, this time around, Apple is gearing up to offer the iPhone 15 series right from the start.

The production of the iPhone 15 series in India commenced at the Foxconn factory in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in early August. This development marks a critical step in Apple's broader strategy to diversify its supply chain away from China, particularly in light of disruptions caused by the global pandemic. Previously, the Cupertino giant primarily relied on China for iPhone manufacturing, but this shift to emerging markets like India has become increasingly vital.

To put this into perspective, the iPhone 15 is the first latest-generation Apple device produced in India and made available for sale on its launch day. It's worth noting that the earlier attempts took Apple several months to roll out Indian-produced units for sale. However, over the past year, they have made substantial progress, reducing the time to just a few weeks.

Nevertheless, while India is now playing a more significant role in Apple's manufacturing ecosystem, the company still relies on China for the assembly of its premium models, including the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Overall, this development signifies Apple's commitment to diversifying its manufacturing base and reducing its dependence on China. Currently, Apple's suppliers in India collectively produce about 7% of the total number of iPhones manufactured worldwide. This move has significant implications not only for Apple but also for India's growing role in global electronics manufacturing.