iPhone success could prompt Apple to let Foxconn assemble iPads in India: Here’s everything we know
Apple manufacturer Foxconn is reportedly planning to expand its operations in India as it mulls plans to assemble iPads at its Sriperumbudur unit in Tamil Nadu. Over the past few years, Foxconn has been ramping up investments to develop manufacturing facilities in southern states and expand its operations in India.
iPads may soon be assembled in India
The Taiwan-based company currently assembles iPhone models at multiple plants in India, including the latest iPhone 15 series, which is assembled at Foxconn’s Chennai unit.
According to a recent report by the Economic Times, Foxconn is likely to start assembling iPads at its Sriperumbudur plant located near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The company has reportedly started discussions with the government regarding the plan. “Their experience so far has been good and they are going all-in. They will double what they have in the next few years, including iPhones, iPads and a few other products,” ET reported, citing an anonymous source.
Manufacturing iPads in Indian factories is entirely feasible because it requires similar capabilities to those needed to assemble smartphones. However, it may take Apple longer to assemble its flagship MacBook laptops because of the smaller production volumes.
Foxconn plans major investment in India
It is expected that Foxconn will benefit greatly from India’s manufacturing-related incentives. [PLI] plans to make a major investment in India. It is reported that Apple is about to start looking for manufacturing partners to develop iPad models in India. In addition to iPads, the company is also planning to increase production of components for the AirPods wireless charging case from its Jabil plant in India. Currently, technology companies Pegatron and Tata Electronics serve as Apple’s main suppliers in India.
Apple’s latest plans to expand assembly of various products in India can be seen as part of the company’s strategy to diversify its manufacturing footprint across multiple countries. Last year, the tech giant was reported to have shifted some of its iPad production to Vietnam. Most recently, the company announced plans to open a new lab at its Shenzhen, China facility to test the quality of upcoming iPhones and iPads under harsh conditions.
