Where Are iPhones Made 2024 From Components to Final Assembly

iPhones are manufactured in various locations around the world, with China being the primary production hub. In fact, it's estimated that over 90% of the world's iPhones are made in China.

Foxconn, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, is the primary assembler of iPhones in China. They have several massive factories in China, including one in Zhengzhou that's said to be the world's largest iPhone factory.

The components for iPhones are sourced from a variety of suppliers, including Samsung for memory chips and LG for display panels. These components are then shipped to the factories in China for final assembly.

The final assembly of iPhones is a complex process that involves multiple stages, from component installation to quality control checks. It's a testament to the efficiency and scale of the manufacturing process that Apple is able to produce millions of iPhones every year.

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The origins of iPhone components are a complex and fascinating topic. Apple doesn't just source parts from one place, and it's not entirely accurate to say that every iPhone is made in China.

The display on an iPhone is made by either Samsung or LG in South Korea. This is a significant step in the manufacturing process, and it's surprising to learn that it doesn't happen in China.

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Apple's iPhone manufacturing locations are spread across several countries, including China, India, and Vietnam. China remains a significant manufacturing hub for Apple, with Foxconn returning to the country to take advantage of its better supply chain and infrastructure.

In India, Apple has been producing iPhones since 2017, with three assembly plants currently in operation. The largest of these is located in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, where two Foxconn plants are based. Apple's contract manufacturers in India, Wistron and Pegatron, have been acquired by the Tata Group.

India has become a major player in the global smartphone manufacturing scene, with the Indian government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme helping to grow Apple's manufacturing base in the country. Vietnam is also a key location for Apple, with the company assembling products such as AirPods and iPads in the country.

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Apple has chosen Vietnam as a strategic location for assembling its products due to the country's proximity to its existing supply chain footholds in East Asia. Vietnam is also a member of ASEAN and has free trade agreements with other East Asian countries.

Vietnam's entire economy is built on exports, making it an attractive location for Western companies looking to diversify outside of China. Apple has already been assembling smaller products like wired EarPods in the country since before 2020.

The company has partnered with manufacturing companies like Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), Pegatron, and Wistron to achieve its goals in Vietnam. As of early 2022, Apple had started assembly at 11 factories run by various manufacturing companies in Vietnam.

A $270 million assembly plant in the province of Bac Giang, less than 50 miles from the capital city of Hanoi, was won by Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) in early 2022. This facility has enough capacity to ship eight million laptops and tablets per year.

Apple has invested heavily in Vietnam, spending $15.84 billion since entering the country. In 2024, Tim Cook visited Vietnam and announced that the company would increase its investments in the country.

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Apple has been assembling iPhones in India since 2017, with three plants currently operating in the country - two in Tamil Nadu and one in Karnataka.

The biggest plant is located in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, with two large Foxconn plants. Apple's other contract manufacturers in India, Wistron and Pegatron, have been acquired by the Tata Group.

Apple has been able to grow its manufacturing base in India thanks to the Indian government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which allows payments to companies that meet certain sales and investment targets.

The scheme has helped Apple's manufacturing output in India reach $14 billion (A$20.75 billion) over the last fiscal year, accounting for 14% of its global output.

Foxconn has begun training thousands of workers at its factory in southern Tamil Nadu to assemble the new 16 Pro and Pro Max devices.

Apple's move to India is part of its efforts to lessen its dependence on China as a manufacturing centre, with plans to have a quarter of all iPhones made in India by 2025 and 50% by 2027.

The Indian government has also helped grow smartphone manufacturing in the country, with India exporting smartphones worth around $15 billion in 2023-24, with iPhones contributing to around two-thirds of this figure.

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Apple's decision to start making iPhones in India is largely driven by the country's strong manufacturing incentives. The government's Make in India initiative has been a huge success, with a $6 billion production-linked incentive scheme that rewards brands for setting up domestic manufacturing of smartphones and electronic components.

India offers a more favorable environment for manufacturing compared to many of its neighbors. The government's initiative has already attracted several Android phone brands, including Xiaomi, OPPO, and Samsung.

Apple has a strong partner in Foxconn, which already has a presence in India. Foxconn's subsidiary, Bharat FIH, assembles Xiaomi and Samsung smartphones.

By making iPhones in India, Apple can avoid high import fees and pass the savings on to consumers. India levies a 22% customs duty on imported smartphones, making the iPhone significantly more expensive in the country than in most Western markets.

Apple has already started assembling non-Pro iPhone models in India and has seen the benefits of tax breaks. Older iPhone models often get deep discounts in India, likely due to these tax breaks.

The company has started assembling current-generation iPhone models in India, specifically the iPhone 14, at Foxconn's Sriperumbudur factory in Tamil Nadu. However, Apple only moved a small percentage of its iPhone 14 production from China to India, an estimated 5% right after launch.

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Apple's manufacturing process for iPhones involves a complex global supply chain, with production taking place in countries such as China, Vietnam, and India.

In 2022, it was reported that 71% of iPhone production came from China, with the remaining 29% split between Vietnam and India.

The Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, China is one of the largest iPhone assembly plants in the world, employing over 200,000 workers.

Apple's decision to diversify its manufacturing base was driven by concerns over supply chain risks and trade tensions with China.

Vietnam has emerged as a key production hub for iPhone components, with companies like Foxconn and Pegatron setting up manufacturing facilities in the country.

In 2023, it was announced that Apple would be investing $1 billion in a new manufacturing facility in India, further expanding its production capacity in the region.