Last month, we reported that Apple had started making its 2019 flagship iPhone 11 at the Foxconn plant in Chennai, India. Now as per a report by Business Standard, the Cupertino-based giant is planning local production of its upcoming iPhone 12 by mid-2021. It will be manufactured at Wistron’s new Karnataka facility which is said to be near Bengaluru.
Also Read: Apple begins making iPhone 11 in India
Apple currently makes five models in the country, including the latest iPhone 11 as well as the older generation iPhone XR, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE 2016.
Apple to start making iPhone 12 in India by mid-2021
Following its launch in October, the iPhone 12 will be produced in India after a few months
The report by Business Standard states that Wistron is planning to hire 10,000 workers at a new facility in a phased manner to expand the manufacturing process. Currently, there are around 1,000 workers at the unit. The Taiwan-based contract manufacturer has reportedly planned an investment of Rs 2,900 crores to speed up the local production in India.
The upcoming iPhone 12 will be the seventh device in Apple’s portfolio to be manufactured in India, giving a boost to PM Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The local production will help Apple save 22 percent tax on imports and avail benefits under the government’s PLI scheme. The move will also create more job opportunities in the country.
Apple is also reportedly planning to manufacture the iPhone SE 2020 at Wistron factory by the end of this year. Foxconn and Wistron already make iPhone models in the country, while Pegatron is in talks with the authorities to set up its local manufacturing unit.
Apple is slated to launch the iPhone 12 sometime in October this year.