Apple's iPhone move to India may face Chinese hurdles as iPhone 17 trials begin

Apple's iPhone move to India may face Chinese hurdles as iPhone 17 trials begin

Apple assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India during the 12 months ending March 2025—a nearly 60% increase year-on-year.

[Digital Daily Reporter Kim Moon-ki] It seems that Apple's global supply chain diversification strategy has been put on hold. It is diagnosed that it is having difficulty expanding iPhone production in India due to China's containment. According to multiple foreign media outlets, including the US IT media outlet The Information and Apple Insider on the 24th (local time), Apple is in the midst of a multi-year supply chain transformation project …

Apple’s India Manufacturing Dreams Face China Hurdle

Apple’s bid to expand its production in India seems to have been marred by significant headwinds such as geopolitical tensions, quality issues, lack of technology and labour issues. However, the biggest issue seems to be Chinese attempts to stonewall Apple’s India manufacturing dreams. Sources told The Information that Chinese authorities, earlier this year, refused to allow one of Apple’s Chinese equipment suppliers to export machinery to India…

Sources: earlier in 2025, Chinese authorities refused to let an Apple equipment supplier export machinery to India needed for the iPhone 17's trial production

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Apple’s Efforts To Shift iPhone Production Out Of China Are Being Met With Massive Obstacles; Authorities Are Blocking Supplier’s Equipment Shipments To Other Countries

China’s manufacturing prowess is reason enough why Apple has been having trouble creating an effective supply chain in other countries such as India and Vietnam, and from the looks of it, the country is making the necessary moves to ensure that it maintains this status. According to the latest report, the Cupertino firm has attempted to shift its production equipment outside of the region, but authorities have impeded the company’s efforts, forc…

Apple is struggling to ship manufacturing equipment to India from China

Geopolitical tension. Quality and cost concerns are also an issue.