Apple to Shift U.S.-Bound iPhone Assembly to India by 2026, Chipping Away at China Reliance

Apple is planning a bold pivot that could redefine its global manufacturing playbook. By late 2026, the tech giant aims to assemble all iPhones destined for the U.S. in India, a dramatic shift away from its longstanding dependence on Chinese factories, according to people familiar with the matter.

That’s not a small move. Currently, nearly 80% of all iPhones are assembled in China. But mounting trade pressures, unpredictable tariff swings, and geopolitical friction have made China less of a safe bet. For Apple, India is starting to look like more than just a backup plan.

China’s Grip on iPhone Assembly is Starting to Loosen

Right now, it’s China or nothing when it comes to iPhone assembly. Estimates suggest around 90% of all iPhones—yes, nine out of ten—are still made there. That dominance is no accident. China’s deeply integrated supplier networks, mature logistics, and skilled labor force made it a no-brainer for years.

But lately, it’s gotten messier. The U.S. has slapped a 20% tariff on Chinese imports tied to the country’s role in Fentanyl production. And while iPhones haven’t been hit directly, the looming threat of broader levies has spooked companies like Apple.

Tariffs on Indian imports? They sit at around 26%. Not great, but way better than the over-100% threats China’s faced in recent months.

One source described Apple’s reaction to the uncertainty in a single word: urgency.

India’s Not Ready Yet — But It’s Getting There Fast

Let’s be real: India still has a ways to go before it can absorb the full scale of Apple’s iPhone needs.

Right now, the U.S. alone demands over 60 million iPhones a year. India’s output? Not even close. To meet Apple’s 2026 target, production there would need to more than double, fast.

In March alone, Apple chartered special cargo flights carrying 600 tons of iPhones—about 1.5 million units—out of India. Just that shipment came with a price tag: India’s production is about 5–8% more expensive than China’s. Sometimes even 10%, depending on the part.

Apple’s now running three factories in India, with two more under construction. Foxconn’s Chennai plant even added Sunday shifts last month to meet shipping deadlines. That’s rare.

Here’s what the March shipments looked like:

Not bad. But still a long way from the 60 million mark.

Behind the Curtain: Talks, Tensions, and Tata’s Growing Role

Foxconn, Apple’s key supplier, is front and center in this transition. But they’re not alone anymore.

Tata Group, the Indian conglomerate, has emerged as a major player. And insiders say they’ve become more than just a backup option—they’re now essential to hitting that 2026 timeline.

A source close to Apple said talks with Tata and Foxconn are “intense” and happening “almost daily.” The goal: scale up, keep costs in check, and meet strict quality targets.

These discussions aren’t public. Neither Apple nor its suppliers are talking. But some things are obvious.

• India’s government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been aggressively pitching the country as a tech manufacturing powerhouse.

• Apple sees the pitch—but import duties still bite hard, especially for certain components.

• Shifting just assembly isn’t enough. Apple needs more local suppliers in India to make the math work.

Still, Tata’s entry is a wildcard that could help accelerate timelines.

Why Not Just Make iPhones in the U.S.?

Trump wanted Apple to bring jobs home. “Build iPhones in America,” he said during his presidency. Sounds patriotic. But it’s not happening.

Apple’s internal estimates show that producing iPhones in the U.S. would jack up prices far beyond what consumers or the company would tolerate. Labor, logistics, and regulation add up. Fast.

It’s also about parts. iPhones are made from over 1,000 components sourced globally. Trying to line all that up domestically? Logistical nightmare.

Right now, over half of Macs and 80% of iPads are still built in China. Apple Watches mostly come out of Vietnam. The iPhone is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

And so, Apple plays the game smartly. Keep China for now. Bet big on India for the future.

Trade War Wobbles Could Still Reshape the Timeline

Here’s where things get tricky.

Trump’s team has floated the idea of easing tensions with China, possibly even rolling back some tariffs. That could make Chinese manufacturing more attractive again—at least temporarily.

But Apple’s not banking on that. The strategy is diversification. And India, despite its higher costs, is seen as insurance.

Executives believe long-term relationships with Chinese suppliers remain key. The infrastructure is too deep, too mature to ditch overnight.

Still, India’s coming up fast. Apple’s investments there could end up changing the shape of its entire global strategy—if the politics don’t change first.

So, is this Apple breaking up with China? Not quite. But it’s definitely seeing other people.