Exploring the Possibility of iPhone 15 Releasing in India at the Same Time as its Global Launch
Tech giant Apple is all set to launch its much-awaited iPhone 15 series in India at the same time as its global launch, according to media reports. This could be attributed to a number of factors, including increased manufacturing in India, growing demand for iPhones in the country, and government initiatives to strengthen domestic electronics production.
The US major is expected to launch Apple Air Pods and new generation watches alongside the iPhone series during its ‘Wonderlust’ event on September 12. Recent reports suggest that the iPhone could become available in India or on the same day globally. launch or within a few days.
Factor of production
One of the factors behind this rapid availability is the local manufacturing of the iPhone 15 models in India. Many of these devices are manufactured at Apple’s Chennai plant in Tamil Nadu. This move mirrors the successful strategy of the iPhone 14, which saw India-made units hit the market within just 10 days of the global launch.
Apple manufactures and exports the iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 14+ models from India through its three contract manufacturers which are Foxconn, Pegatron and Wistron Corp.
However, India now accounts for 7% of Apple’s global production, a significant increase from less than 1% before 2021. In the fiscal year 2022-2023, Apple manufactured over $7.5 billion worth of iPhones in India, of which about $5 billion was exported. Apple is the country’s leading exporter of mobile phones.
This increase in production in India has also contributed to the country’s total mobile phone exports crossing $11.1 billion, a remarkable 91% growth over the previous fiscal year.
Since Foxconn is already in production mode for the iPhone 15 at its Chennai plant, the delay in making these devices available to Indian consumers is expected to be minimal. This development follows Apple’s drive to reduce the time lag between global and Indian launches, improving the overall customer experience.
In light of this development, Apple aims to manufacture 25% of iPhones sold globally in India by 2025, strengthening the country’s position as a crucial market for the tech giant. India has already become the fifth largest iPhone market globally, and Apple’s expansion plans, including the recent opening of its first two Apple Stores in Mumbai and Delhi, demonstrate its commitment to India’s growing consumer base.
Other reasons
The Indian government has actively encouraged local manufacturing of electronics, including smartphones, through programs such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI). This has led to the creation of domestic jobs and the growth of the Indian electronics industry. Notably, in December 2022, Apple became the first company to export smartphones from India for a billion dollars.
The government’s initiatives aim to position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing. Government policy offers attractive incentives to eligible companies, which encourages more investment in the sector. Similarly, the government is also working to improve India’s manufacturing infrastructure, such as roads, ports and electricity supply.
Growing demand in India
The demand for iPhones in India has grown rapidly in recent years. According to industry experts, this is due to several factors such as rising disposable income of Indians, increasing popularity of online shopping, flexible EMI options on e-commerce sites and Apple’s improving distribution network in India.
As Apple fans eagerly await the official launch of the iPhone 15 series at the ‘Wonderlust’ event today, the prospect of making these devices available in India almost immediately is undoubtedly a source of excitement and anticipation for Indian consumers.
