Apple iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max To Be Made In India: Report

Apple will reportedly make the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models in India reports a leading news outlet. 2023 was the first time Apple launched the new iPhone models (iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max) at the same time in India as the US. This was facilitated thanks to Apple’s ramped-up local manufacturing in India, which enabled it to launch made-in-India iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models. But it was still importing the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, which were differentiated by their use of a titanium frame, faster A17 Pro processor, more RAM, higher memory tiers, triple camera array, and a brighter display with a high refresh rate.

This news comes after the government announced a reduction in the import of PCB and chargers, which many analysts believe will solely benefit Apple. There could be a scenario where Apple initially uses imported units so that all the models for the iPhone 16 are launched simultaneously in India as the US, where it will get the benefit of the new tax structures mandated by the union budget. But then it could move to manufacturing these devices fully in India.

Of course, manufacturing is a loaded term, as what fundamentally is happening is the assembly of these phones at plants owned by Foxconn and Tata. In fact, this also comes after Tata acquired Wistron’s plant and is now on a path to expand its manufacturing footprint, especially for Apple’s products in India. Apple has also been looking to make critical components like camera sensors in India, with Tata-owned Titan and the Murugappa Group in the running to make critical components that the iPhones need.

The iPhone 16 is also going to be an important model for Apple. All models are expected to be powered by the A18 processor, with the pro models getting better cameras and a vastly powerful NPU, which will enable Apple Intelligence features that were announced at WWDC, including a new Siri which will launch next year. Slightly larger screens are also expected across the new lineup but Apple will likely retain the form factor, which means it would indulge in the miniaturisation of the bezels. Apple is also expected to launch a new iPhone SE which will use the tweaked design language seen in the base iPhone 16 models, which will further drive sales in India as it dominates the premium segment of the smartphone market.