Foxconn has taken a big step ahead of the iPhone 17's anticipated September release by starting to import parts from China to India for trial manufacture.
Foxconn, Apple's main contract assembler, started receiving shipments of essential parts like display assemblies, cover glass, mechanical housings, and integrated back camera modules at its Indian facilities in June, according to customs data examined by The Economic Times. About 10% of Foxconn's monthly imports from China are these components; the remaining amount is used for other iPhone models, such as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16.
The Economic Times cites industry analysts who view the shipments' size as a sign of early-stage trial manufacturing. According to reports, mass production will start in August, just in time for the September debut.
Apple's New Product Introduction (NPI) process, which oversees the initial phases of new model development and was previously only conducted in China, has already started to involve India; in 2024, it joined the NPI process for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. In contrast to the iPhone 14, when manufacture in India started six weeks after the China ramp-up, this allowed production to start almost concurrently in both countries.
Apple is apparently aiming for same-day manufacturing starts in China and India for the first time with the iPhone 17. According to sources DigiTimes cited, Foxconn is a key player in India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program, and Apple plans to expand its manufacturing presence in India as part of its strategy to diversify its supply chain.
But the endeavor has run into difficulties. Chinese engineers have been leaving Foxconn's Indian plants in large numbers, according to recent reports. These people were in charge of employee training, precision machining, and factory design—all crucial tasks in the early stages of iPhone production. The Economic Times cited an official who stated:
Chinese engineers are crucial because iPhone 17 manufacturing involves complex precision machining of many small parts, and even a 1mm difference can cause a product to fail quality testing. They are needed to train employees on the intricate assembly processes and specific molds for components.
The Indian administration seems hopeful in spite of these challenges. The return of Chinese technical personnel to China will "no influence" on the production of the iPhone 17, according to a source cited by the Press Trust of India (PTI).
The source also mentioned that import restrictions for gear and equipment required for large-scale manufacturing have started to loosen, and that Apple is still scaling production as planned. It is anticipated that the complete iPhone 17 lineup will debut in the fall.