May 8, 2024

Foxconn Lands Order to Make AirPods for Apple in India [Report]

Posted March 16, 2023 at 2:12pm by iClarified · 2754 views
Foxconn has landed an order to make AirPods for Apple in India, reports Reuters. The company plans to build a new factory in the country to produce the wireless earphones.

The deal will see Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker and assembler of around 70% of all iPhones, become an AirPod supplier for the first time and underlines efforts by the key Apple supplier to further diversify production away from China. AirPods are currently made by a range of Chinese suppliers.

A source told the site that Foxconn plans to spend over $200 million on the new factory in the southern state of Telangana. Internally, Foxconn reportedly debated for months over whether it should assemble AirPods due to lower profit margins; however, the company decided to go forward to "reinforce engagement" with Apple.

"That way, we are more likely to get orders for their new products," the person said.

Further details, including timeline, order size, and impact on current suppliers is unclear. Last November, Goertek revealed that an overseas client asked it to stop work on a smart acoustic product (believed to be AirPods Pro 2), affecting its revenue by up to $480 million. Perhaps Foxconn has won the business the previously offered to Goertek.

Notably, Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale today for 20% off.

More details in the full report linked below...