Apple will reportedly begin production of the iPhone 17 in India from day one, manufacturing the device simultaneously in India and China. This marks a significant shift from previous years, when iPhone production began in China and was only later expanded to India.
According to a report from The Economic Times, Apple supplier Foxconn has started importing components from China to India in preparation for assembly of the upcoming iPhone 17. Customs data cited in the report indicates that components such as the display assembly, cover glass, mechanical housing, and integrated rear camera modules arrived in India last month.
These shipments signal the start of trial production, where factories assemble limited quantities of the iPhone 17 series ahead of full-scale manufacturing.
Apple is reportedly aiming to manufacture all iPhone models sold in the United States in India by the end of this year. To meet that goal, Apple plans to produce over 60 million iPhones annually in India—nearly double its current output—raising total production to around 80 million units per year.
India was previously seen as a secondary site for iPhone manufacturing, playing a smaller role compared to China. However, Apple is shifting strategy, seeking to reduce its dependence on Chinese production in the wake of U.S. tariffs introduced by the Trump administration.
