Apple is set to began production of AirPods for exports at its Foxconn plant in Hyderabad from April, reported PTI quoting sources. Currently, Apple only produces iPhones in India and AirPods will be the second product category that the company will produce in India.
“Production of AirPods is going to start in India at Foxconn’s Hyderabad facility. It will begin from April, but it will be only for exports as of now,” PTI quoted the source.
Furthermore, Foxconn had given the green light for a $400 million (approximately Rs 3,500 crore) investment to set up the factory back in August 2023. Notably, Apple leads the global TWS (true wireless device) segment. According to a report by Canalys, Apple had 23.1% market share in 2024. This is about three times more than its nearest competitor Samsung, that the research firm estimates to be around 8.5%.
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Apple To Expand Production: What Else?
The news of AirPods production in India contains major significance. Moreover, this is amid speculation that Apple may cut production in the country in the aftermath of reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. Notably, the company announced $500 billion investment in the US over the next four years in manufacturing units.
India imposes 20% import duty on hear-ables and wear-ables while it is nil in the US, showed the data shared by India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). India will benefit if it waives off the import duty on smartphones, hear-ables and wear-ables on their imports from the US, said ICEA. It is worth noting that the Trump administration in the US has threatened to impose reciprocal tariff on several countries, including India, from April onwards.
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