My latest survey indicates Foxconn’s iPhone production site in India will ship the new 6.1″ iPhone 14 almost simultaneously with China for the first time in 2H22 (India being one quarter or more behind in the past).
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) August 5, 2022
Foxconn, Apple’s primary supplier, has iPhone assembly plants in Brazil and India. China’s iPhone operations remain the most significant globally. This time, Apple may start iPhone 14 production in India and China simultaneously.
Normal iPhone production outside of China takes a few months, according to Kuo. Foxconn launched iPhone 13 assembly in India in April and Brazil a few weeks later.
Other nations’ iPhone manufacture serves local markets, not global demand. According to Kuo, iPhone 14 manufacturing capacity in India won’t bridge the gap caused by production issues in China in the immediate term, but it’s still a “significant milestone for Apple” in expanding iPhone production to other regions.
The analyst said Apple accelerated iPhone 14 manufacturing in India owing to geopolitical repercussions on its supply chain.
Apple has warned its suppliers about a possible “revenge” by the Chinese government after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Pelosi spoke with Apple suppliers TSMC and Pegatron. Since then, China has blocked these firms’ exports.
iPhone 14 manufacturing has also been delayed by component shortages and quality difficulties. Apple might minimize its reliance on China by growing iPhone manufacture in India and even Brazil, but this will be challenging.
Analysts still expect Apple will reveal new iPhones next month despite these obstacles. Also rumored: a new Apple Watch Pro model and a revised entry-level iPad with USB-C and 5G.
