Foxconn Starts iPhone 17 Trial Production in India – India isn’t just a growing market for Apple anymore—it’s now part of its core production strategy. With Foxconn kicking off iPhone 17 trial production in its Indian facilities, Apple is clearly making a bold move to diversify its global supply chain.
Foxconn Starts iPhone 17 Trial Production in India: Why It Matters
Key iPhone 17 Components Have Landed in India
Based on customs data, Foxconn began importing critical iPhone 17 parts into India in late June 2025. These include displays, camera modules, and mechanical housings—the core of any modern smartphone.
In fact, Foxconn’s import value that month was almost 10% related to the production of the iPhone 17. These components were sent to two key facilities: the Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu and the new Devanahalli factory near Bengaluru. The latter is quickly becoming one of the main production hubs in Apple’s supply chain.
Timeline: From Trial Runs to September Launch
Foxconn is expected to begin mass production in India by August 2025. If that happens, it will align perfectly with Apple’s usual iPhone launch in September.
In previous years, Indian-assembled iPhones were released months after their China-made counterparts. This year, however, Indian units are set to launch simultaneously—marking a major milestone in Apple’s global strategy.
Why Apple Is Betting Big on India
Apple has spent years developing their “China+1” strategy. Now, the company is accelerating that shift. There are several reasons behind this:
- U.S.–China trade tensions are ongoing and unpredictable.
- Import tariffs on China-made products continue to raise costs.
- India offers attractive tax incentives and government support for electronics manufacturing.
Therefore, India is no longer a fallback option. It’s becoming a key pillar of Apple’s long-term operations.
Inside Project Elephant: A $2.5 Billion Bet
Project Elephant is the name of Foxconn’s new Devanahalli factory, a $2.5 billion complex spanning 300 acres. Once fully operational, it could produce over 100,000 iPhones every month. A large share of these will be exported to major markets like the U.S. and Europe.
Furthermore, Apple is deepening its supply chain inside India. Tata Electronics, for example, is already producing metal casings at its facility in Tamil Nadu.
Visa Issues Slow Down the Process
One of the biggest challenges right now involves visa restrictions. Apple’s New Product Introduction (NPI) process is usually overseen by senior Chinese engineers, but they are having trouble entering India.
These specialists are critical to setting up production lines. However, due to visa limitations, many haven’t arrived on time, causing bottlenecks in training and equipment calibration.
To address this, Apple and Foxconn have brought in teams from Vietnam and Malaysia. Meanwhile, local workforce training efforts are being ramped up to fill the gap.
Which iPhone 17 Models Will Be Made in India?
While Apple hasn’t made an official announcement, insiders say the base iPhone 17 and 17 Plus models are most likely to be assembled in India. The higher-end Pro and Pro Max models are still expected to come from Foxconn’s plant in Zhengzhou, China.
Even so, the scale of Project Elephant and the growth of local partners like Tata suggest that premium model production may also move to India within the next one to two years.
Why This Move Deserves Your Attention
For professionals in tech manufacturing, logistics, or government policy, this development is more than just a factory story. Here’s why:
- India is proving it can support advanced electronics production.
- Local suppliers stand to gain from increased demand for high-precision parts.
- Consumers may enjoy faster availability and better pricing stability.
In short, Apple is helping turn India into a high-tech manufacturing hub.
The Bottom Line
Apple’s global operations have undergone a significant change with Foxconn’s iPhone 17 trial manufacturing in India. The company isn’t just assembling phones in India—it’s actively building the foundation for its future here.
And while this move starts with the iPhone, it likely won’t stop there. The entire Apple hardware ecosystem could soon follow the same path.
