India now makes 1 in 4 iPhones as Apple assembles entire iPhone 17 lineup locally

According to Bloomberg’s report, Apple produces about 25 percent of the world’s iPhones in India, with production of marquee devices increasing by 53 percent last year. The increase in iPhone production in India is linked to the Cupertino-based technology giant’s effort to avoid tariffs imposed by the US administration on China.

The report states that in absolute terms, Apple will assemble around 55 million iPhones in India by 2025; This figure was 36 million iPhones collected the previous year. The company is said to have produced approximately 220 to 230 million iPhones worldwide.

China, in particular, still produces the bulk of iPhones, but the trade war between the US and China in 2025 has led Apple and its suppliers to move a larger share of devices for the American market to alternative production centers, with India emerging as a hotspot.

Apple has been ramping up iPhone production over the past few years, fueled by the government’s production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme, which provides subsidies to companies like Apple to offset some structural cost disadvantages specific to the region.

However, the report points out that electronics assembly is still more expensive in India compared to manufacturing hubs such as China and Vietnam. With India’s current smartphone manufacturing subsidies set to expire on March 31, companies like Apple and Samsung are reportedly in talks with the Indian government for a new round of export incentives in a bid to remain cost competitive.

What is Apple doing in India?

Apple is currently reportedly assembling all versions of its latest iPhone 17 series in India, including the high-end iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. The company’s local supplier network, which includes Foxconn, Tata Electronics and Pegatron, continues to produce older devices such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 for both domestic sales and global exports.

The report also states that the technology giant’s long-term supply chain strategy is to build a second large iPhone production base to serve global demand. Apple is also said to be deepening its domestic supply chain to include component production for lithium-ion batteries, device cases, and accessories like AirPods.

India is also fast becoming a vital consumer market, with sales exceeding $9 billion. The company is said to have also expanded its physical stores last year and is also planning to launch its Apple Pay service in the country later in the year.