It was earlier touted that Apple may also produce iPhone 8 and higher models locally, but that has not been confirmed so far.
One
of Apple's key manufacturers, Wistron
Corp, has begun manufacturing iPhone 7 locally in India, Apple
has confirmed. The handset is being manufactured out of its facility
at Narasapura in Kolar district, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Earlier only iPhone 6s and SE models were manufactured out of the
unit.
"We
are proud to be producing iPhone
7 in Bengaluru for our local customers furthering our long-term
commitment in India,” an Apple India spokesperson said in an
emailed statement.
That
it would produce higher-end devices was anticipated when Wistron
announced plans to open the Narasapura facility, its second in India
after Peenya, in June 2018. The Taiwanese contract manufacturer,
which also manufacturers for Xiaomi and Nokia, has taken up a 43-acre
land parcel and plans to invest Rs3,000 crore in the unit in a phased
manner.
It
was earlier touted that Apple may also produce iPhone 8 and higher
models locally, but that has not been confirmed so far.
The
development comes at a time when Apple’s sales in India have
dropped, owing to higher prices of newer Apple models and a gush of
cheaper and powerful models from Chinese brands. Apple is said to be
focusing on its strategy to target high-end users with premium
products like iPhone X and newer versions of Mac and iPad.
Simultaneously, it is keeping older handsets like 6S alive as an
entry device for first-time users.
Foxconn
Technology Group, Apple’s other big contract manufacturer operating
in India, is also scaling up local manufacturing. As per media
reports, Foxconn has presented plans to invest up to Rs5,000 crore in
its facility in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai and is in talks with the
government for concessions.
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