In a significant move to deepen its manufacturing presence in India, Apple is reportedly planning to begin production of its iPhone 17 models in the country by early 2026. According to a report by The Information, Apple has chosen India as one of the first countries—outside of China—to assemble next-generation iPhones, marking a major shift in its global production strategy.
The report suggests that the iPhone 17, expected to debut in late 2025, will be assembled in India shortly after its global launch, reducing the gap between Chinese and Indian production timelines to just a few weeks. Apple is working closely with its Indian partner, Tata Group, to ramp up operations at its new facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. This plant, acquired from Wistron, is undergoing major expansion to support the upcoming iPhone models.
This strategic move is part of Apple’s broader efforts to diversify its supply chain and reduce dependency on China, amid rising geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Analysts see this as a clear vote of confidence in India’s growing electronics manufacturing capabilities and a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” campaign.
If all goes as planned, India may become one of the first countries to manufacture Apple’s flagship devices simultaneously with China—a feat that seemed unlikely just a few years ago. This could also mean that Indian consumers might soon get access to new iPhones much sooner after their global launch.