Apple’s upcoming phones to be made by Tata Group

Apple’s next-gen iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus could be manufactured in India by Tata Group. According to research firm TrendForce, Tata has received “only small orders” for the two new iPhone models that are expected to launch in September or October this year. The report notes that Tata is being able to take the order due to the acquisition of Wistron’s Indian production line. While Tata’s share of assembly orders for various iPhone models is 5 per cent in 2023, the shift indicates Apple’s production relocation plans beyond China. Apple already produces iPhone SE, iPhone 12, and iPhone 14 in the country.

If the report is accurate, Tata will also be looking at new design instructions from Apple since the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to include Type-C ports — a common charging and data transfer solution among many Android phones and even newer Apple iPads. Until the iPhone 14 series, Apple used the proprietary Lightning charging port, which struggled to offer high charging and data transfer speeds.

Additionally, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to ship with a distinct Dynamic Island notch instead of the static notch housing the front camera and Face ID sensors. The Dynamic Island notch, first introduced on iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, can adjust the size based on notifications and calls. The Dynamic notch breaks the monotony of the front display, which has been the same in terms of design for the last several years.

The research firm adds that Tata’s entry also means Taiwan-based Wistron’s exit from the iPhone assembly business in India. However, an old report states that Apple may still partner with Wistron for distribution reasons. Currently, Apple products are being manufactured in India by Foxconn and Pegatron. Apple does not manufacture iPhone Pro models in India.

Apple has been working harder to shift its production line outside China, especially after the company’s iPhone 14 Pro series production took a hit in the central city of Zhengzhou, home to the world’s largest iPhone factory. The research firm adds, “Due to geopolitical and pandemic, Apple has been accelerating the diversification of its supply sources, with India being the most well-known case for such transfer.”

Apple also opened its first physical retail outlets in Delhi and Mumbai last month. Apple CEO Tim Cook attended both inaugurations and even met with PM Narendra Modi to discuss Apple’s plans in India. India Today