Apple is looking to move some of its iPad production out of China for the first time, according to a report from CNBC, which claims that despite there being no “concrete plans” yet, discussions are underway to move some iPad manufacturing to India in an effort to diversify the iPhone maker’s supply chain.
According to the report, via MacRumors, which cites sources familiar with the discussions, a key factor that could slow down Apple in its effort to move some iPad production to India is a lack of “highly skilled talent and individuals with expertise in building highly complex devices,” although it is understood that Apple is still holding ongoing discussions with officials in the country to understand if the production move would be feasible.
Apple currently has its top three manufacturing partners making smartphones in India. These are Wistron, Foxconn, and Pegatron. The company has slowly been expanding its manufacturing efforts in India over recent years, with the country assembling low quantities of the iPhone 14, as well as some older iPhone models, including the iPhone 13 and iPhone SE.
Reports have previously suggested that Apple is aiming to produce 25 percent of all iPhones in India by 2025, with trade tensions between the U.S. and China a key driving force between the move.