Apple starts assembly of iPhone 12 in India

Mumbai : Apple Inc has started assembling iPhone 12 in India. “As the company ramps up manufacturing operations in the world’s second-biggest smartphone market,” the US tech giant said.

Statement issued by Apple on Thursday said, “We are proud to be starting production of iPhone 12 in India for our local customers.” Hence it didn’t name the supplier making the smartphone.

Two sources familiar with the matter said that the Indian unit of Apple’s Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn will assemble the device in its plant in Tamil Nadu.

As Apple navigates the trade war between Washington and Beijing, it has been shifting some areas of production from China to other markets. According to reports, Foxconn is moving some iPad and MacBook assembly to Vietnam from China in November at its request.

California-headquartered Apple Cupertino has bet big on India since it begin iPhone assembly in the country in 2017 via another Taiwanese supplier, Wistron.

Over five years to make iPhones in India – Foxconn, Wistron and a third supplier Pegatron have together committed roughly $900 million, leveraging New Delhi’s $6.7 billion plan to boost smartphone exports.

As Reuters reported last month, Apple is also planning to bring the assembly of its iPad tablet to India.