After iPhones, Apple plans to start making iPads and Airpod cases in India

Apple is reportedly planning to expand its manufacturing operations in India to include iPads and AirPod charging cases. This follows the successful and rapidly growing production of iPhones in the country.

The move is part of Apple’s broader strategy to reduce its dependence on China as the primary source of manufacturing. According to a report by the online news portal Benzinga, Apple is looking to leverage India’s favourable government initiatives aimed at attracting more manufacturing to the country.

Apple’s decision to produce iPads in India is a significant step in its expansion plans. The company aims to benefit from the Indian government’s efforts to enhance the country’s manufacturing sector. In addition to iPads, Apple is also seeking a local partner to produce wireless charging cases for AirPods.

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Apple’s inclination towards manufacturing in India is largely a part of Apple’s China Plus One strategy to diversify its supply chain, and mitigate the risks of being dependant on a country like China.

The idea of Apple manufacturing other products in India, such as iPads and Macs, has been discussed since the company started iPhone production in the country. Initially, technical experts believed that India’s manufacturing capabilities were still developing and might not be ready for the complexity involved in iPad production.

However, they also noted that India’s manufacturing industry was rapidly advancing and would soon be capable of handling more sophisticated products. This view is now coming to fruition as Apple plans to expand its production footprint in India.

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Previously, Apple moved key iPad engineering resources to Vietnam, collaborating with its Chinese partner BYD. This move was partly due to government restrictions in India that prevented such production.

However, Apple is now actively seeking a new local partner in India for iPad production, indicating a shift in the feasibility and attractiveness of Indian manufacturing capabilities.

Regarding the production of AirPods charging cases, Apple has a long-standing partnership with Jabil for various manufacturing tasks. It is now reported that Apple plans to utilize Jabil’s India division for producing these cases, with production expected to start in early 2025.

Quality testing is currently underway at Jabil’s facilities in Pune, located in Western India. Additionally, Apple is considering Foxconn as another potential partner for this production, further showcasing its commitment to expanding its manufacturing base in India.

Beyond the iPad and AirPods charging cases, there are claims that the Indian government is encouraging Apple to extend its manufacturing operations to include Mac and MacBook Pro devices in the country.

This follows India’s brief consideration of boosting local manufacturing by restricting laptop imports, a plan proposed in August 2023 but subsequently dropped two months later. This initiative reflects the Indian government’s ongoing efforts to attract major technology companies and increase local manufacturing capabilities.

By moving more of its production to India, Apple aims to reduce its dependence on China and mitigate the risks associated with over-reliance on a single country for manufacturing. This expansion also aligns with the Indian government’s initiatives to bolster local manufacturing, potentially paving the way for further production of other Apple products in the country.