Tata, Foxconn Said to Begin iPhone Production in India
India’s electronics manufacturing sector may be entering a new phase, as sources indicate that iPhone production has reportedly begun at Tata Electronics’ facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The development is believed to be part of Apple’s ongoing strategy to diversify its manufacturing base away from China and strengthen its footprint in India.
According to those familiar with the matter, Tata’s facility has started assembling older-generation iPhone models using a dedicated production line. Parallelly, another major player—Foxconn—is expected to begin operations at its new plant in Bengaluru, Karnataka, within days. The Foxconn unit is said to be focusing on the assembly of the upcoming iPhone 16 and 16e models. Industry insiders suggest that this plant, backed by an investment of approximately $2.6 billion, aims to reach full-scale production by December 2027 and create employment for nearly 50,000 workers.
iPhone Production in India
While official confirmations remain limited, people aware of internal timelines state that the Foxconn facility could achieve a manufacturing rate of 300 to 500 iPhones per hour once fully operational. India, which currently accounts for roughly 18% of Apple’s global iPhone output, may see its contribution grow rapidly in the next few years.
Reports further claim that in March 2025, iPhones worth $2 billion were shipped from India to the United States. Of this, Foxconn was responsible for around $1.3 billion in exports, with Tata making up the rest. These figures signal a notable shift in Apple’s global supply chain strategy, which has increasingly turned toward India in response to global uncertainties and trade disruptions.
Apple Manufacturing Shift
Apple’s broader ambition, according to sources, is to shift the majority of iPhone production for the U.S. market to India by the end of 2026. This move is expected to scale production capacity in India to over 60 million units annually.
Industry observers attribute this transition to a combination of geopolitical risk mitigation, supply chain resilience, and India’s favorable manufacturing incentives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The presence of domestic giants like Tata, alongside established global manufacturers like Foxconn, is reportedly helping India rise as a strong alternative to China in electronics manufacturing.
If the reports hold true, Apple’s increasing reliance on Indian facilities may represent a turning point in global electronics production, placing India at the heart of next-gen tech manufacturing.
