Apple’s Big iPhone Shift to India Faces Chinese Roadblocks as iPhone 17 Trials Begin

Apple is accelerating its plans to move iPhone production from China to India. Over the past year, Apple assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India, marking a 60% year-on-year jump. Of this, $17.5 billion worth were exported, according to India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Already, Apple’s manufacturing partners like Foxconn and Tata Electronics are ramping up operations. Foxconn’s Bengaluru plant is expected to start full-scale production within this month, with the capacity to manufacture up to 20 million iPhones annually.

In a major strategic move, Apple plans to shift the manufacturing of all iPhones intended for U.S. sales to India by the end of 2026. This ambitious target comes amid growing U.S.-China trade tensions and reflects Apple’s desire to diversify its supply chain.

iPhone 17 Trial Production Kicks Off in India

Apple has already begun trial production of the iPhone 17 series at its Indian facilities, with Foxconn leading assembly and Tata Electronics manufacturing components like casings.

The early success of a test shipment — where 1.5 million iPhones were sent from India to the U.S. via chartered flights — boosted Apple’s confidence that Indian plants can handle sudden demand spikes. The company now aims to fully meet U.S. iPhone demand through Indian production.

India's Growing Role in Global iPhone Production

In 2024, India contributed 18–20% of global iPhone production. Analysts predict this share could grow to 25–30% in 2025, and possibly even 40% by next year, provided capacity expansion continues smoothly.

"Apple’s manufacturing partners in India, including Foxconn and Tata, are steadily ramping up production. India has the potential to meet US demand; the real test will be how fast and efficiently it can scale,"
— Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Counterpoint

Today, Apple produces around 40–45 million iPhones annually in India. However, to meet its aggressive goals, production needs to double to 80–90 million units within the next few years.

The Chinese Challenge: Equipment Delays

Despite the progress, Apple’s India ambitions are facing a serious hurdle: delays at Chinese ports.
Industry executives reveal that specialized manufacturing equipment needed for expanding Indian facilities is being delayed or blocked by Chinese authorities.

The problem started in 2024 and persists even today. Some equipment shipments had to be rerouted through Southeast Asian countries before reaching India, adding weeks to delivery times.

"For raising production capacity within India, contract manufacturers will still heavily depend on the Chinese ecosystem for advanced parts and machinery,"
— Upasna Joshi, Analyst, IDC

If these equipment delays continue, they could seriously impact Apple's goal of meeting U.S. iPhone demand from India by 2026.

Government Efforts to Resolve the Issue

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is working with the Ministry of External Affairs to address these shipment issues diplomatically with Chinese authorities.
As of now, no fresh complaints have been officially filed by Apple’s suppliers.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for India’s Tech Manufacturing

Apple’s push to move a major chunk of iPhone production to India is a huge opportunity for the country’s growing electronics industry.
If successful, it could position India as a global hub for premium smartphone manufacturing, boosting exports, creating jobs, and strengthening India's role in global supply chains.

However, geopolitical tensions and supply chain bottlenecks could still slow down the transition.

The next 18 months will be critical in determining whether India can rise to the challenge — and whether Apple can successfully loosen its dependence on China.

Apple’s Big iPhone Shift to India Faces Chinese Roadblocks as iPhone 17 Trials Begin