Foxconn, a manufacturer of of electronic components and consumer products, is planning to set up an iPhone enclosure manufacturing facility in Oragadam, Tamil Nadu, according to a report by The Economic Times. The proposed unit will be located within the ESR Industrial Park, near Foxconn’s upcoming display module assembly plant, which is nearing completion. Until now, Foxconn has primarily focused on assembling iPhones at its Sriperumbudur plant.
Tata Electronics is currently the only company manufacturing iPhone enclosures in India. Foxconn’s planned facility may contribute to expanding Apple’s local supplier base in India.
Apple is also in discussions with Indian companies to manufacture capital equipment and machinery for iPhone production. These machines would be supplied to iPhone vendors operating in India, supporting the growth of new manufacturing units. The move is aimed at reducing dependence on imported equipment, particularly from China, which is currently facing port delays.
The demand for such equipment is expected to increase with two new iPhone manufacturing plants—one each by Foxconn and Tata Electronics—set to begin operations.
Between March and May, nearly 97 percent of iPhones exported by Foxconn from India were shipped to the United States, according to customs data reviewed by Reuters. These shipments, valued at USD 3.2 billion, mark a significant increase compared to the 50 percent monthly average throughout 2024. Previously, Indian-made iPhones were mainly exported to countries such as the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and the UK. The shift towards the US market follows rising tariffs on Chinese imports.
Foxconn, based in Taiwan, is a multinational electronics manufacturer known for producing a wide range of electronic components and consumer products. In India, Foxconn operates iPhone assembly and display module plants, and it is expanding its manufacturing footprint in the country.
Apple is seeking to locally source manufacturing equipment and supply it to its vendors in India as part of its efforts to expand domestic production capacity and reduce reliance on China amid ongoing US-China trade tensions. The focus extends beyond components to include capital equipment such as precision tools, robotics, and assembly machinery used in iPhone manufacturing.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has confirmed Apple’s plans. Companies including Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics are continuing to increase their operations in India. Foxconn alone is investing USD 1.5 billion in a new component manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu.
According to industry sources, Apple is aiming to eventually shift production of all iPhones sold in the United States to India. This strategy is expected to contribute to the development of India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem and increase investment in related sectors such as capital goods, semiconductors, and automation.
