Apple Officially Announces iPhone 14 Production in India...Foreign Media Say "Schedule Moved Up Earlier Than Expected"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Apple officially announced that it will produce its newly released smartphone model, the iPhone 14, in India as well, Bloomberg News reported on the 26th.

According to the report, Apple stated in a press release, "The new iPhone 14 lineup introduces groundbreaking new technologies and important safety features," and added, "We are pleased to produce the iPhone 14 in India." Although there had been reports that the iPhone 14 would be produced in India as well as China, this is the first time Apple has officially confirmed it.

In this announcement, Apple did not mention specific schedules such as the production start date. Regarding this, Bloomberg reported, "Apple has started producing the iPhone 14 in India," and noted, "The schedule has been moved up earlier than expected." It is said that the production process was accelerated as local partners resolved supply chain issues, shortening the production timeline.

Earlier, Bloomberg had cited sources last month predicting that the iPhone 14 would be produced in India around late October or November. The Indian daily Times of India also reported on the same day that Apple has begun iPhone 14 production at Foxconn’s factory in Tamil Nadu, southern India.

Apple has heavily relied on China for the production of its major products, but recently it has been steadily diversifying its production locations. This is due to the deterioration of US-China relations and China’s strict 'zero-COVID' policy, which has undermined the production stability of partner companies within China.

Recently, JP Morgan forecasted that Apple would produce 5% of the iPhone 14 in India starting at the end of this year, and that by 2025, about 25% of iPhone production facilities would be relocated from China to India.