One of every seven iPhones is now made in India

10 April 2024
Apple is now assembling 14% of its devices in the South-Asian country.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • j2u
  • 27 Apr 2024

“Made in India” is misleading. Assembly is the labour-intensive but low margin work, meanwhile Chinese companies now claim exponentially greater % of value per iPhone than they did back in 2008 when assembly was solely done in China. Today they are designing and supplying components.

Now of course maybe this is how a similar trajectory starts for India, but as an Indian I am always annoyed by this framing, especially from outlets like Macrumours and the New York Times which are transparent attempts to claim that the US is “de-risking” from China. Other Indians besotted with brainless nationalism lap this up, thinking they are joining with the US to screw China, In reality, a cursory examination would reveal that in fact it is Chinese suppliers which together with apple, Samsung, LG etc. are now laughing to the bank, as they reap hefty margins on expensive iPhones, assembled by Indian workers paid pennies on the dollar.

I don’t have a problem with China personally, but those Indians who do would be well advised to study how china climbed the iPhone value chain, to the point where contracts to supply critical components are now being wrestled away from American, Japanese, European and Korean suppliers who have historically dominated these higher margin niches. It didn’t happen by default, and it certainly didn’t’ happen by playing nice with the US’s hypocritical and self-serving commercial logic of the “rules based order”.

    S, 11 Apr 2024Well, as an indian i am willing to say you shut the ______ ... moreI am Indian, and trust me when I say this - India is sitting on a demographic bomb with brainwashed kids growing up to be unemployed

      pateltr, 11 Apr 2024Correction here, not 1.4 bn people say 1.4 bn economically ... moreYeah, we can, but only if the youth are not brainwashed by stupid things like religion, culture and tradition

        Y, 10 Apr 2024If you have an iPhone, sell it and buy a Samsung. I'm using made in India Samsung phone. No issues with it.

          Healthyheart, 10 Apr 2024Additing more pollution to already one of world's most... moreDon't blame technology, blame to humans. No human no technology no pollution. Development comes at a cost of nature.

          We want fruits from the tree but same time throwing dried leaves. That is not going to happen. We've to choose any one option.

            iDroid, 10 Apr 2024India is still very much a third world country. The size of... moreCorrection here, not 1.4 bn people say 1.4 bn economically capable people. We can affect American & European companies balance sheet.

              • S
              • S
              • xjH
              • 11 Apr 2024

              Anonymous, 10 Apr 2024Tim Cook said few years ago that iphone would cost $100 if ... moreIf apple sells at $100, then others will sell at $10, LOL!
              People will enjoy those prices.

                • S
                • S
                • xjH
                • 11 Apr 2024

                Healthyheart, 10 Apr 2024Additing more pollution to already one of world's most... moreIn other countries, everything is heaven like clean.
                Are you trying to say everyone this line?
                Well, thanks.
                But you are a ______ .
                Go study.

                  • S
                  • S
                  • xjH
                  • 11 Apr 2024

                  iDroid, 10 Apr 2024India is still very much a third world country. The size of... moreWell, as an indian i am willing to say you shut the ______ out elsewhere.
                  But i will not say much to you, cause you are telling the truth at least on number terms.
                  I think it will probably take 20 to 30 year, like by 2050 or later india might look like a much better country in terms of those numbers you are comparing.
                  But that's just probability.
                  So, you won for now.
                  LOL!

                    • S
                    • S
                    • xjH
                    • 11 Apr 2024

                    Nonsense made in india.
                    Just call it assembled in india.
                    All parts of these devices are made in other countries, many knows that.
                    From processors to battery, nothing is being made in india.
                    These companies are just using GOI's TAX and subsidies and also diversifying there global footprint because of those future geopolitcal conflicts might arise between 2 countries which's name all people know.
                    Just random marketing.
                    On every battery we can see sone chinese words written on.
                    We know where those parts are coming.
                    Don't try to make fool.
                    Although many are fool, including me i guess, LOL!

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 0cB
                      • 10 Apr 2024

                      I'd rather buy a Samsung that is made in Vietnam. Very good quality.

                        Cheezas, 10 Apr 2024Thats not the problem, they are still not made in india, th... moreMade in India is assembled in India, and designed in USA means it it projected there, but assembled( made) somewhere else, at least this is what I understand by the word "made". You also need skills to assemble smartphones, because our gadgets are getting more and more complex you know. :) By the way I did not blame anybody here.
                        By the way the USA is not manufacturing any phones( except of one small company who makes budget phones selling at a higher price than an Iphone 15 Pro lol), they basically only design the phones, which is of course also need some skills, but it is sad they don't make anything( smart phones or Laptops) in my opinion.

                          Mobilemaster, 10 Apr 2024Why are some people that angry of what I said earlier? I wa... moreThats not the problem, they are still not made in india, they are just assembled in india to evade taxes.

                          And pro models are still made in china. And non pro series are from both india and china.

                          And as I remember pro models got many issues as well. So blaming indian manufacturing doesn't seem fair.

                            Why are some people that angry of what I said earlier? I was saying what people are saying about worse quality, that doesn't mean I have a problem with India. I even have Indian friends lol. I wish India good luck in everything. :)

                              Woohoo, 10 Apr 2024Oh yes, the most populous country, the largest democracy, t... moreCalling india a Third World country is correct by definition, which is a third world country is a Non-NATO aligned country. That was economically weak at that time the terms were first used.
                              And this by no means India is poor. India is rich, but the people are poor.
                              But it still has a long way to go, the largest hurdles are corruption and teaching some people civic sense.
                              India is doing exceptional currently handling 1.4b people is no joke.

                                Apple doesn't make any phone.
                                They just ordered.

                                  So 6/7 devices are still being made in sweat shops in china then?

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • Fv1
                                    • 10 Apr 2024

                                    Anonymous, 10 Apr 2024Tim Cook said few years ago that iphone would cost $100 if ... moreSource: Trust Me Bro

                                      • Z
                                      • Zuzuz
                                      • nDP
                                      • 10 Apr 2024

                                      Woohoo, 10 Apr 2024Oh yes, the most populous country, the largest democracy, t... moreAll roses until you visit the country 🤣

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • t5U
                                        • 10 Apr 2024

                                        It's just the beginning. What an amazing achievement by India. Thank you so much Apple.