Made-in-India iPhone 16 series to hit global markets within days of launch

Apple’s iPhone 16 series, manufactured in India, will be available globally within the first few days of its sales launch, according to a report by The Economic Times. This is the first time a global product, made in India, will be distributed worldwide so soon after its release – marking a milestone for India’s growing manufacturing sector and the Make-in-India initiative. 

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 16 series on Monday, with global sales expected to begin 10 to 12 days later. Foxconn, one of Apple’s primary contract manufacturers, has already commenced production of the series in India. 

For the first time, even the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will be shipped overseas from Indian factories. The iPhone 16 boasts to be one of Apple’s most advanced devices, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) features.

The shift towards India as a key production hub is seen as part of the tech giant’s efforts to diversify its manufacturing operations, especially amid increasing geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, the report noted.

India’s role in global iPhone production

In 2021, India-made iPhone 13 models reached global outlets a few months after their launch. By 2022, the gap for the iPhone 14 was reduced to less than two weeks. Last year, Apple achieved simultaneous production for the iPhone 15 in India and China, though the Indian-made devices were only available locally on the first day of sales.

India currently contributes around 14 per cent of Apple’s total global production, up from 7 per cent last year, according to the latest Economic Survey. Furthermore, Apple aims to move 25 per cent of its iPhone production to India by 2025 as part of its strategy to reduce dependency on China, the report said.