Apple Inc has started to train thousands of workers at its Tamil Nadu factory to produce the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max as close to the global debut as possible, Bloomberg News reported on August 20 citing sources.
In July, Moneycontrol had exclusively reported citing sources that Apple Inc has plans assemble the top-of-the-line Pro and Pro Max models of the upcoming iPhone 16 series in India for the first time through its partner Foxconn Technology Group.
Foxconn's facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, will soon start the 'new product introduction' (NPI) process for the pro models of iPhone 16, and enter mass production stage once launched. Foxconn typically gets first preference for new manufacturing due to its capabilities and deep integration within Apple's supply chain.
Foxconn will start to assemble the premium devices 'within weeks' of the global launch, said Bloomberg News, quoting unnamed sources. Apple's other India partners — Pegatron's India unit and the Tata Group — too could start making the Pro versions, said Bloomberg News.
Apple is expected to make the made-in-India standard iPhone 16 available on the same day it begins worldwide sale, said Bloomberg News.
The Bloomberg report said it had reached out to representatives of Apple, Foxconn and Pegatron but they declined to comment, while Tata didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Moneycontrol will update the story when we have any communication from the players involved.
Apple has increased the production of its flagship iPhone devices in India through Foxconn and Tata Electronics.
Apple may also resume preparations to make iPads in India through Foxconn, Moneycontrol learnt in July.
Moneycontrol also reported on July 8 that Apple is working towards increasing the production of components for AirPod wireless charging cases through contract manufacturer Jabil in Pune, and it could do the same with Foxconn as well. Made in India AirPods could see production commence early next year.
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