Apple to Make Most U.S. iPhones in India, Expands to Five Factories [Report]

Apple is ramping up iPhone production in India, now using five factories to build its new models as it works to reduce its reliance on China for US-bound devices. For the first time, all four iPhone 17 models—including the pro-level versions—will ship from the South Asian country at launch, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

Among the new facilities are a Tata Group plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, and a Foxconn hub near the Bangalore airport, both of which have recently come online. The news follows earlier reports that the new Tata factory had just started iPhone production. People familiar with the matter say plants controlled by Tata are expected to account for as much as half of India's iPhone output over the next two years.

The production shift is a direct response to ongoing trade tensions. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs of at least 25% on iPhones not made in the U.S. and publicly said he told CEO Tim Cook to stop building iPhones in India. Still, the company has been working to have most U.S.-bound iPhones made in India by late 2026.


iPhone exports from India are also climbing fast. In just the four months since April, shipments hit $7.5 billion—a significant jump from the $17 billion exported over the entire previous fiscal year.

For Apple, the timing is crucial. The increased production in India follows a recent pledge from CEO Tim Cook that Apple would invest $600 billion to expand its U.S. operations over the next four years, an announcement made alongside President Trump at the White House.

That said, the shift hasn't been without its challenges. Foxconn recently asked hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians to return home from its Indian facilities, though Apple has reportedly brought in replacements from Taiwan and Japan at a higher cost.

Looking ahead, Apple also plans to produce a new iPhone 17e in India, with a launch expected early next year. The company is already discussing plans for iPhone 18 production in the region, with early work set to begin in the coming weeks.


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