Not just iPhones: Many AirPods also "made in India" soon
At least 25 percent of all Apple phones now come from the subcontinent. Now (more) accessories are being added.
Person exercising with AirPods Pro 3.
(Image: Apple)
Apple is expanding its manufacturing capacity in India. According to a local media report, up to 200,000 AirPods per month are to be produced in a large factory in Hyderabad in the future—well, more than double what is currently maximally possible. The facility is operated by Apple's long-standing manufacturing partner Foxconn from Taiwan. It also plans to more than double its workforce, writes the Economic Times. The workforce is to be increased from 2000 people to 5000 “in the next six to eight months,” according to informed circles.
AirPods so far, mainly from Vietnam and China
So far, Vietnam and China have been the main production locations for AirPods. According to the Economic Times, Foxconn is now planning to relocate machines from Vietnam to India “to diversify operations beyond China.” A total of five existing production lines at the factory, operated by the Foxconn subsidiary Foxconn Interconnect Technology, or FIT for short, are to be adapted for the production of “new AirPods models.”
Videos by heise
Apple recently launched a new generation of its popular ANC earbuds with the AirPods Pro 3. For the first time, they also feature heart rate sensors, which are used to track sports sessions (including calories burned). The in-ear headphones are also approved for fitness use for the first time, including sweat resistance, which was not officially permitted with previous models.
Continued accelerated expansion—raw material problems from China
Which models FIT will build for Apple in India remains unclear. However, the subcontinent has long been used for more complex manufacturing, and Pro models of the iPhone are also produced here. So it could well be AirPods Pro 3. The devices are to be delivered to India, the USA, and Europe, the Economic Times further writes. Currently, there are no tariffs from the Trump administration on such electronic products from India.
The relocation from China, where higher tariffs are threatened, to India does not always work out. For example, FIT reportedly had difficulties obtaining raw materials in July at a factory in Telangana—in this case, dysprosium, a rare earth from China. However, the situation has improved again since August. Meanwhile, FIT intends to continue investing in India. Up to 24,000 jobs are to be created in Kongara Kalan—in a facility worth 550 million US dollars. This also concerns Apple accessories. Meanwhile, 25 percent of all iPhones are said to come from India. In total, up to 500,000 people are likely working for Apple and its suppliers on the subcontinent.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(bsc)
