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China deliberately hampering iPhone production in India in three ways, say reports

China deliberately hampering iPhone production in India in three ways, say reports | A red traffic signal

Apple’s plan to boost iPhone production in India from an estimated 15% of global production today to 25% by 2027 is being deliberately hampered by the Chinese government, according to new reports.

China is reportedly using a mix of three measures to make it harder for Apple’s manufacturing partners to transfer production to India …

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Apple could be forced to promote state-backed apps on iPhone in India

One in seven iPhones now made in India | Apple Store BKC

India remains Apple’s largest market opportunity after China. Growing the business in India, however, has always required a bit of compromise with the local government. In 2019, it was a small investment of $1 billion that helped unlock iPhone exports from India. More recently, India has pressured Apple to put its government-backed app store on the iPhone.

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Making iPhones in India may be about to get cheaper for Apple

Making iPhones in India may be about to get cheaper for Apple | Photo shows a road bridge in Mumbai

Making iPhones in India is a key element of Apple’s efforts to reduce its manufacturing dependence on China, and a new report indicates that the company may be able to cut the cost of doing so.

The Indian government is reportedly planning to offer at least $2.7B in support for local manufacturing, which could reduce iPhone production expenses in the country …

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Discriminatory job ads for iPhone workers ended after Reuters report; Apple didn’t comment

Discriminatory job ads for iPhone workers ended after Reuters report | View of Mumbai waterfront at sunset

Reuters found discriminatory job ads for iPhone workers in India, with recruitment leaflets stating that women applying for positions with Foxconn must be unmarried and aged 18 to 32.

The offending ads have been withdrawn following the launch of state and federal investigations into Foxconn’s hiring practices by the Indian government, but neither Foxconn nor Apple has yet offered any explanation for the original requirements …

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Alleged iPhone 16 Pro box label corroborates production in India

Alleged iPhone 16 Pro box label corroborates production in India

We’re only a few weeks away from the official announcement of the iPhone 16, and the rumors never stop. As some sources have previously reported, Apple is expected to produce the Pro models of this year’s iPhones for the first time in India, in an attempt to reduce the company’s reliance on China. And a leaked label seems to corroborate this.

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Next Apple antitrust battle set to be in India; Apple lobbying against it

Next Apple antitrust battle looming | Photo shows glowing Apple logo outside a retail store

It looks like the next Apple antitrust battle will take place in India, as the country prepares its own competition law, which is closely modelled on Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). We learned last week that Japan is also close to implementing its own version of the DMA.

It’s the DMA which has required Apple to permit third-party App Stores, as well as give iPhone users a proactive choice of web browser …

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Major ramp-up in Apple’s plans to shift production from China, as Foxconn quadruples investment in Indian plant

Major ramp-up in Apple's plans to shift production from China | iPhone 15 models on display

We’re today learning of a major acceleration in plans to shift more production of Apple devices from China to India. In less than one year, Foxconn has increased its planned investment in an Indian plant by almost 400%.

It follows a recent report that Apple has told its battery suppliers that it would like as many iPhone 16 batteries as possible to be manufactured in India …

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iPhone 16 batteries should preferably be made in India, Apple tells suppliers

iPhone 16 batteries (iPhone 15 battery shown)

As part of the company’s continuing work to reduce its dependence on China, Apple has reportedly told suppliers that it has a preference for iPhone 16 batteries being made in India.

One battery supplier which already manufactures in India has been asked to scale-up production there, and Chinese suppliers have been urged to establish battery factories in the country …

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USB-C charging port law in India could cause three big problems for Apple

USB-C charging port law | Close-up of port on iPhone 15

India is planning to copy the European Union’s USB-C charging port law, requiring all smartphones to adopt the standard, which poses three big problems for Apple – and not just in India.

A new report today says that Apple is lobbying either for an exemption for older models still manufactured in the country, or delayed enforcement of the proposed legislation …

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Report: Nearly 14% of iPhone units shipped in 2023 were assembled in India

AAPL growth in India | Apple BLK, Mumbai | Apple India iPhone

Apple has invested a lot of money in assembling some of its products in India to reduce its reliance on China. Although it still has a long way to go, a report today by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that nearly 14% of iPhone units shipped in 2023 were assembled in India, showing that Apple is progressing towards its goals.

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Apple sends iPhone hack warning to Indian opposition leader; walks tricky line

iPhone hack warning | A copy of the alert message from Apple

Apple has sent iPhone hack warnings to the leader of India’s main opposition party, alongside other politicians opposing Narendra Modi’s government – placing Apple in a potentially delicate position.

A security researcher was also alerted, and shared a copy of the alert message he was sent, in which Apple advised enabling Lockdown Mode …

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Indian iPhone plant found ‘highly hazardous’ to worker health in previously secret report

Indian iPhone plant dangers | Red light

An Indian iPhone plant run by Foxconn was temporarily closed down back in 2021 due to major health infractions in worker accommodation – including the presence of rats, food crawling with worms, and toilets without running water.

Now for the first time, we’re learning of the findings of a subsequent government inspection, which revealed many more safety infractions within the plant itself, some of which were described as “highly hazardous” to the health of workers …

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