Report: Indian Version of iPhone 15 to Launch Simultaneously with Global Release
With the iPhone 15 launch on September 12 less than two weeks away, Apple may be gearing up to make the ‘Made in India’ iPhone 15 available in India almost simultaneously with its global launch, according to sources cited by the Economic Times.
According to the report, Apple will use the Foxconn facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to bring the iPhone 15 to the Indian market around mid-September – closing the gap to the global launch to just a few days – if not at the same time.
Additionally, the report highlights that Apple’s Foxconn unit in India started manufacturing regular iPhone 14 models ten days after the global launch, which takes about a month before the “Made in India” iPhones hit the Indian market. This time, however, Apple is well prepared and is aiming to initially serve the Indian market with locally manufactured iPhone 15 units made in India before exporting to other regions such as Europe and the US.
Production of the iPhone 15 reportedly began in China in June, with components arriving in India later in the same period. So, quite frankly, with the huge interest and fanfare Apple is showing in India, the country could finally get its due attention and get a “Made in India” iPhone 15 around the global launch date.
Notably, India now accounts for 7% of global iPhone production, a number expected to grow as other manufacturers such as Pegatron and Winstron expand further.
In addition, official Apple Stores are now open in Mumbai and New Delhi – Apple BKC and Apple Saket – and with top management, including Tim Cook himself, refocused, Apple is optimistic about India and has said the country is right. “turning point”.
In fact, CEO Tim Cook stated during the company’s earnings call last month that India is a “huge opportunity” for the company and that the recently opened official stores in Mumbai and New Delhi are exceeding the company’s expectations. Cook added that India is the “second largest smartphone market in the world.” So we should do really well there.”