Apple started exporting an AirPods component from India to China and Vietnam in 2023. From April, the company will start production of Airpods at the Foxconn plant in Hyderabad for exports, according to reports from PTI and IANS.
Regarding the supply chain in India, the Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the earnings call said that manufacturing in India is for both the domestic market and the export market. “Our business needs certain economies of scale for it to make sense to manufacture in the country,” he added.
This expansion goes beyond AirPods. Reports indicate that Foxconn is also gearing up to manufacture Beats headphones in India, reinforcing the country’s growing role in Apple’s audio product ecosystem. While current production is solely for export, the possibility of local sales looms, potentially impacting domestic pricing and availability.
Apple’s iPhone exports from India have already hit a record high, reaching Rs 1 lakh crore in the first ten months of the current financial year (FY25). This surge underscores India’s increasing importance as a manufacturing hub for Apple, driven by government incentives and a skilled workforce.
The company’s diversified production strategy reflects a broader trend of global companies seeking to mitigate supply chain risks and capitalize on India’s burgeoning manufacturing capabilities.
Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce a live-translation feature for its AirPods as part of a major software update expected later this year, alongside the launch of iOS 19.