In a strategic move to diversify its manufacturing base and reduce dependence on China, Apple Inc. is set to commence the local production of its iPhone 15 Plus in India by the next quarter. This development comes as the tech behemoth seeks to tap into the burgeoning Indian market and offer competitive pricing to its consumers.
According to a report by The Economics Times, preparations are already underway at the Sriperumbudur Foxconn plant, located near Chennai, to gear up for the iPhone 15 Plus production. Notably, this facility currently manufactures the base iPhone 15 model.
Apple's decision to shift production to India aligns with earlier speculations about the company's intent to decentralize its manufacturing operations. While the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will continue to be imported from China, they will feature India's indigenous navigation system, NavIC. This inclusion, however, might result in the Pro models being priced approximately 50% higher in India compared to the US. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are anticipated to retain their current price points.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have garnered attention for their advanced features, including the Dynamic Island, previously exclusive to the Pro models. Both devices are powered by the robust A16 Bionic chipset and sport a 48MP primary camera. Another significant upgrade is the inclusion of the USB-C port, a departure from Apple's proprietary Lightning port.
Despite these enhancements, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are priced similarly to their predecessors, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. With the festive season approaching, Apple is optimistic about a surge in sales in the Indian market. To meet the anticipated demand, the company is ramping up its local production efforts. The iPhone 15, being the first 'Made-in-India' model, was available for sale on its launch day. However, the production capacity at the Foxconn facility remains limited, necessitating continued imports from China until the Indian production line can fully cater to the demand.
Apple's manufacturing journey in India began in 2017. As of now, India accounts for 7% of Apple's global iPhone production, as per a Bloomberg report. The emphasis on local production underscores Apple's commitment to the Indian market and its broader strategy to strengthen its foothold in the region.
The iPhone 15 Plus is listed on Apple India's official website with prices starting at Rs 89,900 (approximately £885). Pre-orders will begin on September 15, with shipping scheduled for September 22. The base iPhone 15 model is priced at Rs. 79900 (about £774).
Featuring a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Dynamic Island and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the iPhone 15 Plus is powered by the A16 Bionic SoC, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The device also boasts a dual rear camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor and a 12MP TrueDepth front camera.
Apple Hub, a popular tech commentary platform, recently tweeted, "The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are honestly an incredible value this year!" highlighting the significant upgrades and value proposition offered by these models.
