Apple to sell iPhone 12 models made in India from mid-2021
As part of a push to reduce its dependancy on Chineses manufacturing, Apple is said to planning to begin selling iPhone 12 models produced in factories in India from mid-2021.
According to a report from Business-Standard (via AppleInsider), contract manufacturer Wistron will handle Indian iPhone 12 production for Apple from its Narasapura plant in Bengaluru.
iPhone 11 production is already taking place in India at a nearby plant owned by Wistron rival Foxconn, who also is overseeing production of the iPhone XR and several other previous-generation iPhone models for Apple in the country.
By bringing production outside of China, Apple is able to avoid import duties on Chinese goods arriving into the United States. The move also helps Apple in its effort of growing marketshare in India, linked with the country’s PLI scheme, which was introduced to boost local manufacturing of electrical products.
Apple announced this year that it will open its first Apple Store in India during 2021, with an official online store launching to customers in the country over the coming months.
This year’s new iPhone lineup is expected to prompt a “supercycle” of upgrades. To recap, Apple is expected to release four new iPhone model this fall: a 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 to replace the current iPhone 11, and a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max.
The Apple Post has gone hands on with a model created based on leaked schematics and specifications for this year’s 6.7-inch “iPhone 12 Pro Max”, offering an early preview of the rumored new squared-edged design, larger display, and more.