Apple's Starts Trial Run Of iPhone 13 Production In Foxconn Plant In Tamil Nadu; Factory Already Produces iPhones 11 And 12

Apple has initiated a three-month trial manufacturing run of the upcoming iPhone 13 in India, according to a news report.

As part of its preparations to build all of its top-selling smartphones in the country, the American tech giant has begun trial production at its Foxconn plant near Chennai, which also manufactures the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11.

The Economic Times reported that according to sources, Apple aims to begin commercial manufacturing of the iPhone 13 in India in February 2022 for both the domestic and export markets. Thanks to the inclusion of the iPhone 13, Apple now makes 70 per cent of its smartphones in India.

Apple has been able to secure a supply of semiconductor chips, which are in short supply around the world, which has aided in the planning of its growth into India. The iPhone 13 will be manufactured in India, which will aid Apple in increasing the model's availability in international markets.

Industry executives told ET that about 20 to 30 per cent of what is generated in India is normally exported. The report also noted that according to sources, the supply of popular iPhones have increased, alleviating an acute shortfall in the Indian market.

The iPhone 13 is the most popular model in India but as of now, the company has no plans to make iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max in the country.

Apple already produces iPhone SE in the Wistron plant in Bengaluru. It's worth noting that Apple's iPhone SE is now the cheapest iPhone model available in India. However, in 2022, Apple is expected to improve the iPhone SE for the year by incorporating a 5G processor from the iPhone 13.

According to market research firm IDC India's research director Navkendar Singh, the tech giant has been locally manufacturing a new iPhone model within 3 to 4 months of its launch in India. In the first part of its global rollout, Apple debuted iPhone 13 in the country in late September that features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and A15 Bionic chip, has a 12MP dual rear camera and front camera of 12MP.

“A lot of local production scaling up will depend on component availability. The local production of iPhone 13 in India may ease a bit the low supplies in the country,” added Singh.

Apple, which is said to be on the verge of becoming the world's first $3 trillion company, was the fastest-growing smartphone brand in the July-September quarter, according to Counterpoint Research, with 212 per cent year-on-year growth and a 44 per cent share of the premium smartphone market. The company also maintained its 74 per cent market share in the ultra-premium segment.

As reported, since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, Apple has been on a tear in India, with many users purchasing iPhones, iPad tablets, and Mac computers to work and study from home. Despite supply concerns, iPhone sales are likely to reach 4-5 million devices in calendar 2021, up from 3 million units in 2020.

According to Apple India's recent regulatory filings, income from operations climbed by 68 per cent to Rs 22,845 crore in 2020-21, while net profit increased by 32 per cent to Rs 1,226 crore.