iPhone 17 launch: Apple to sell ‘Made in India’ models in the US from day one

Apple will manufacture all iPhone 17 models in India, with Tata Group emerging as a major partner as the company accelerates its move away from China.

Apple will manufacture all four iPhone 17 series models in India for the first time, including the two Pro variants, ahead of their September launch. Bloomberg reports that the move marks a significant milestone in Apple’s ongoing strategy to reduce reliance on China for US-bound shipments.

Apple will produce all iPhone 17 models in India ahead of launch, reducing reliance on China. (Bloomberg)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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The company now operates five iPhone factories in India, two of which opened recently, as part of a large-scale production shift aimed at meeting most US demand directly from India. The transition is driven by tariff risks and geopolitical tensions, with Apple expecting a $1.1 billion hit from trade duties in the current quarter.

Tata Group as key Apple partner

Indian conglomerate Tata Group is set to play a central role in this expansion, with its facilities projected to handle nearly half of India’s iPhone production within two years. Tata’s Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu and Foxconn’s new hub near Bangalore airport are already contributing significantly to the output.

Exports from India have surged as a result of this shift. Between April and July, iPhone shipments from the country touched $7.5 billion, almost half of the $17 billion exported in the entire previous financial year. These figures, based on factory gate prices, underline the pace of Apple’s growing reliance on India.

Apple assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India in the 12 months ending March 2025, which now accounts for 20% of global iPhone production. The pivot was initially triggered by Covid lockdowns in China and has been reinforced by the ongoing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.

While the Trump administration has largely exempted iPhones from sectoral tariffs, Apple still faces risks from individual country levies. The company’s shift to India reflects a long-term recalibration of its supply chain to mitigate such pressures and secure stable production for its largest market.