Foxconn will assemble AirPods in India starting in Q1 2025.
The move marks Apple's second major product assembly in India after the iPhone.
Financial incentives from the Indian government played a key role in Apple's decision.
Apple is set to begin assembling AirPods in India for the first time, marking a significant shift in its global supply chain. The production will take place at the Foxconn facility near Hyderabad, Telangana, beginning in the first quarter of next year. The factory has been testing production, and it will ramp up quickly once full-scale manufacturing begins.
AirPods will be the second major product manufactured in India after iPhones. Speaking of the reason, the report suggests that the Indian government’s financial incentive drove the decision. The government has offered subsidies to companies that manufacture wireless earphones and smartwatches locally in order to boost tech product production, according to the report.
Apple’s decision comes as part of a larger effort to diversify its manufacturing footprint and reduce its reliance on China as geopolitical tensions rise. According to reports, Foxconn, Apple’s major supplier, debated whether the low-profit margins on AirPods would justify production in India. However, the company decided that assembling the AirPods locally would strengthen its relationship with Apple while also contributing to India’s growing role in the global tech supply chain.
READ: Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Review: Best in class, but not really
Apple previously began iPhone production in India, which resulted in a massive increase in exports, up by a third in six months, totaling nearly $6 billion. AirPods manufactured in India will most likely be shipped to global markets.
Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly planning to launch a new HomePod and Apple TV next year as per a Bloomberg report. It may come powered by a new chip codenamed Proxima which will integrate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities into a single unit. It is expected to debut in HomePod Mini and Apple TV with future applications in iPhones, iPads, and Macs by 2026. The tech giant is also reportedly planning to step into the security camera market and a wall-mounted smart display. Do note that Apple has not confirmed all these developments as of now.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. Previously, he worked as a Senior Sub-Editor with Jagran English from 2022, and has been a journalist since 2020, with experience at Times Internet. Ashish specializes in Technology. In his free time, you can find him exploring new gadgets, gaming, and discovering new places. View Full Profile
