- By Prateek Levi
- Thu, 09 Jan 2025 01:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
iPhone 17 Indonesia: Indonesia has indicated that it may extend its iPhone sales restrictions to the upcoming iPhone 17 unless Apple is willing to comply with local manufacturing requirements, according to the country's industry minister.
The warning comes as Indonesia upholds its ban on iPhone 16 sales, despite Apple's recent proposal to invest $1 billion in building an AirTag factory in the country. Officials state that the planned facility in Batam Island near Singapore fails to meet the requirement of sourcing 40% of smartphone components locally.
"If Apple wants to sell the iPhone 16, and especially if they plan to launch the iPhone 17, the decision is entirely up to them," Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said, pointing towards a potential extension of the current ban to future models.
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Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani said that Apple had previously committed to beginning the AirTag facility operations by 2026
Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani announced that Apple plans to begin operations at the AirTag facility by early 2026. However, Kartasasmita rejected the proposal, stating that only phone components would count toward meeting the regulation. "As of this afternoon, the Ministry of Industry does not have the basis to issue the local content certificate for Apple products," he explained.
Indonesia has a population of 280 million and 354 million active mobile phones, and it has used these stats to continuously capitalize on its huge consumer market to attract foreign manufacturing. Apple has increased its investment proposal to $1 billion from $10 million, but officials have pointed out that these figures are low compared to the company's sales in the country.
The ban imposed by Indonesia which was implemented in October 2024, currently is in effect for both Apple's iPhone 16 and Google Pixel phones. Apple currently operates four developer academies in Indonesia, company has yet to establish any manufacturing unit in the country.