Apple is rapidly shifting gears in its global manufacturing playbook — and India is racing to the front of the line.
With projections estimating nearly $40 billion worth of iPhones to be manufactured in India by FY26, the tech giant is doubling down on the subcontinent. What’s even more striking? 80% of that output is expected to be exported directly to the U.S., signalling a tectonic shift in Apple’s supply chain dynamics and India’s rising stature in global tech manufacturing.
Over 11 million iPhones were sold globally in just Q2 2024, despite it being Apple’s softest quarter. A leading analyst noted that an ASP of $1,100 is over $12.1 billion in value,” noted a leading analyst. Demand is still outpacing expectations, and India’s output is key to meeting it.
Apple CEO Tim Cook underscored this transformation, revealing that most iPhones sold in the U.S. in Q2 2024 will bear the ‘Made in India’ label, while other devices, such as iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and AirPods, will primarily continue to be sourced from Vietnam.
India has already made waves globally, exporting iPhones to the Netherlands, Japan, Turkey, Italy, the UAE, and beyond. In 2024 alone, the country rolled out an estimated 40–45 million units, representing 18–20% of Apple’s global iPhone production.
This scale-up is being fueled by Apple’s trusted manufacturing partners, including Foxconn and Tata Electronics, which are setting up new facilities and expanding capacity. And it’s not just about iPhones — Apple is set to begin large-scale AirPods production in India too.
The message is clear – India is no longer just an emerging market for Apple, it’s becoming its production backbone.
