Apple to Initiate AirPods Production for Exports in India
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Synopsis
Apple is set to begin local production of AirPods for export in India, enhancing the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This follows the success of iPhones, driven by the production-linked incentive scheme. Production is expected to start in April at the Foxconn plant in Hyderabad.
Key Takeaways
- Apple will start AirPods production in India.
- This is part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- Production is set to begin by April at Foxconn's Hyderabad plant.
- India's TWS market saw a 14% YoY growth in 2024.
- The PLI scheme has significantly boosted Apple's exports.
New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) In a boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Apple is preparing to commence local manufacturing of AirPods aimed at exports in the country. This marks the company's second product category produced locally following the remarkable success of iPhones, which have thrived due to the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
Industry insiders indicate that the production of Apple AirPods (excluding those with Active Noise Cancellation or ANC) is currently intended solely for export.
The manufacturing process is expected to kick off by April at the Foxconn facility in Hyderabad.
However, the company has not yet provided any official confirmation.
According to recent research from Counterpoint, India’s TWS market shipments surged by 14 percent year-over-year in 2024. This growth is attributed to seasonal sales, budget-friendly products, and increased usage across various applications, alongside improved channel availability.
Furthermore, benefiting from the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple has achieved record iPhone export figures from India, totaling ₹1 lakh crore over the 10-month period (April-January) of the current financial year (FY25).
In January alone, iPhone exports reached approximately ₹19,000 crore, marking an all-time high. Overall, iPhone exports from India have grown by more than 30 percent in the first 10 months of this fiscal year (April-January 2025) compared to the same period last fiscal (₹76,000 crore).
India represents a significant market for Apple, and “we have achieved a record growth in the December quarter, with the iPhone emerging as the top-selling model in the country during the October-December period of 2024,” stated Apple CEO Tim Cook recently.
Apple has also unveiled an innovative new range of AirPods models and features. The new AirPods 4 are claimed to be the most advanced and comfortable headphones Apple has ever designed, featuring an open-ear design.
