• Source:JND
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Apple is preparing to make one of its most ambitious moves yet in India—manufacturing its first foldable iPhones. The company, which has already expanded iPhone production across multiple factories in the country, is now reportedly setting up test lines with Taiwanese partners before scaling mass production locally.

According to Nikkei, Apple has been working on a foldable device for years. While competitors like Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Huawei already have several folding phones on the market, Apple is still perfecting its prototype. If things go as planned, the first foldable iPhone could debut as early as next year, with Apple estimating the device might increase shipments by up to 10% in 2026.

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The timing underscores Apple’s shifting manufacturing priorities. For the first time, all models of the newly launched iPhone 17 series—including the standard, Pro, and Pro Max—are being built in India from day one. Key sites like Tata Group’s Hosur facility in Tamil Nadu and Foxconn’s Bengaluru hub are now central to Apple’s supply chain, with shipments from Tata alone contributing more than Rs 23,000 crore to its FY25 revenue through sales to the US.

Tim Cook recently emphasised this shift, noting that “the vast majority” of iPhones sold in the US are now produced in India. Other Apple products, such as the iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, meanwhile, are largely assembled in Vietnam, with China still handling a significant portion of global distribution.

The iPhone 17 launch itself has reinforced why India matters so much. Pre-orders exceeded expectations, especially for the base model, which now comes with a ProMotion 120Hz display, Always-On functionality, 256GB storage, and a 6.3-inch screen—features once exclusive to Pro devices. At $799 (₹82,900), the base iPhone 17 has been a sweet spot for buyers, prompting Apple to increase its production allocation by at least 30% after it had planned only 25% at first.

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Both the robust uptake of the iPhone 17 and Apple's plans for foldable devices underscore India's increasing prominence in the global strategy of the company. What began as a move to diversify away from China is now shaping up to be a base for Apple's next growth wave.