Apple to start assembling iPhone X and other premium iPhone models in India

Apple is all set to assemble to premium iPhone X in India, starting 2019, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami confirmed the news and further announced that Foxconn’s unit in Sriperumbudur will start the manufacturing of premium iPhones in India. It should be noted that this is not the first time, Apple is assembling iPhones in India, previously Apple assembled iPhone SE in 2017 and iPhone 6S in 2018.

According to latest reports, iPhone X will be assembled through Foxconn’s local unit, the process is set to begin next year at Foxconn’s facility in Sriperumbudur town where the Taiwanese manufacturer will invest close to $356 million. This project is expected to generate more than 25,000 jobs.

This isn’t a surprising move since most of the iPhone sales generated from India come from the lower cost iPhones. Furthermore, this move will definitely help Apple, since the Indian government recently placed high tariffs on the import of smartphones while reducing taxes on component rates to encourage the “Make in India” initiative.

However, it remains to be seen whether Apple will shift its iPhone assembly from Foxconn factories in other countries to India. In the light of recent trade war between China and USA, it can very much be a possibility due to increasing high tariffs the Cupertino giant is facing in China. It remains to be seen how will this move by Apple fare in a region which is dominated by Chinese brands like Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo and OnePlus that offer some of the best budget smartphones in the world.