Double down! Apple plans to expand battery production in India.
Apple plans to transfer part of the battery production for iPhone 16 to India and encourages battery manufacturers to build new factories in the country. The Indian government is also actively attracting foreign investment in hopes of developing the electronics industry. Apple ranks second in terms of sales in the Indian market and is expanding its investments in the country. However, establishing a production line in India still faces challenges.
According to media reports, Apple is considering manufacturing the battery for its upcoming new generation iPhone 16 in India.
On December 6th, according to sources, Apple has informed its component suppliers that they are more willing to purchase the battery for the iPhone 16 from Indian factories. Apple is encouraging battery manufacturers to establish new factories in India to expand production and meet future order demands. If the battery supply for the iPhone 16 progresses smoothly, Apple plans to transfer more iPhone batteries to be produced in India.
According to a senior official from the Indian government, TDK, a battery supplier for Apple in Japan, is building a large factory on a 180-acre site in the state of Haryana, India. This new factory will specifically provide battery units for iPhones produced in India. This aligns with the Indian government's goal of vigorously developing the manufacturing industry, and the government will provide incentives for companies investing in the mobile communication, battery, and other target industries. India is actively seeking foreign investment and hopes to compete in areas such as electric vehicles and semiconductors.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Deputy Minister of the Indian Ministry of Technology, has expressed his hope to expand India's electronic industry to a scale of $300 billion by 2026.
Apple's contract manufacturers are currently expanding their investments in India. Foxconn has previously announced plans to invest over $1.5 billion in India for new production facilities.
Although iPhone manufacturers are continuously expanding their production capacity in Vietnam and India, there are still concerns about scale, efficiency, and quality. According to experts and local officials, Apple suppliers still face challenges in establishing production lines in India.
In the Indian smartphone market, Apple ranks second in terms of sales, second only to Samsung. Apple has experienced a period of high growth in India, with a YoY growth of 34%. In terms of shipments, Apple achieved a record high in smartphone shipments in India in the third quarter, exceeding 2.5 million units.