Apple plans to turn to Tata Group to manufacture iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models in India, marking an expansion of its Indian manufacturing base.

What Happened? According to a TrendForce report, as part of this diversification strategy, Tata Group, an Indian multinational conglomerate, will assemble the next newest iPhone lineup, becoming Apple’s fourth iPhone assembler in the country.

Per the report, Tata Group will initially handle smaller orders for the iPhone 15 series, suggesting a phased entry into the iPhone assembly business. This move could lead to three significant implications.

Firstly, it might position India among the first countries to receive shipments of the new iPhone series, expected to launch in September this year. Secondly, it signals the exit of Wistron, a previous assembler, from India, especially since Tata Group has already bought Wistron’s iPhone plant in Bengaluru. Finally, Tata Group will join Foxconn, Luxshare, and Pegatron as the fourth company to assemble iPhones in India, a process that started in 2020 with the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

See also: Apple Manufacturer Foxconn Secures 300-Acre Karnataka Land As Push Towards India Continues

While Tata Group’s assembly orders for various iPhone models will account for only 5% in 2023, TrendForce views this as an indication of Apple’s accelerating production relocation trend.

The upcoming iPhone 15 series, consisting of four models — iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, will likely debut in September, powered by Apple's A16 Bionic chipset and the latest iOS software.

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