Foxconn iPhone Plant in Karnataka to Begin Shipments by June
| 2025-05-17
Foxconn's new facility in Karnataka, India, is set to begin iPhone shipments by June
Foxconn's new facility in Karnataka, India, is set to begin iPhone shipments by June 2025, reinforcing Apple's shift in production from China to India.
Foxconn’s Karnataka Facility Nears Launch as India Rises in Global Supply Chain
A major new manufacturing facility for Apple’s iPhone, operated by Taiwanese electronics company Foxconn, is set to begin commercial shipments from Karnataka, India, by June 2025, according to state officials.
Karnataka Minister for Commerce and Industries M B Patil confirmed on Saturday that the Foxconn unit in the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) of Devanahalli is nearly ready. The development marks a significant step in Apple Inc.’s strategy to diversify its manufacturing operations amid ongoing global trade tensions.
Strategic Shift for Apple
Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, is a key supplier for Apple. The new facility underscores Apple's increasing reliance on India as a manufacturing hub, following years of concentration in China.
“This isn’t just a manufacturing milestone—it marks a strategic shift,” Minister Patil stated. “With rising geopolitical and tariff pressures, India is fast becoming Apple’s preferred production hub.”
He added that Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has indicated a significant share of iPhones sold in the United States during the June quarter will be produced in India. This would be the first time such a large volume of devices for the U.S. market originates from Indian facilities.
Investment and Employment Prospects
The Foxconn plant is situated across 300 acres in the Devanahalli and Doddaballapura taluks of Bengaluru Rural District. The facility represents a major capital investment, with the Karnataka government confirming an outlay of ₹21,911 crore (approximately USD 2.6 billion).
The state government has pledged incentives worth ₹6,970 crore under the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) policy to support the venture, according to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s 2025–26 budget address.
This investment is expected to generate significant employment and enhance local infrastructure, although exact job creation figures have not been disclosed.
India’s Role in the Global Electronics Supply Chain
India has emerged as a critical location in the global electronics supply chain, particularly as multinational corporations look to mitigate risks from geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruptions.
The move is part of a broader shift by Apple and its partners to scale up operations in India, which offers a large labour force, growing domestic demand, and supportive government policies, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
According to India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the country has seen increasing foreign investment in electronics manufacturing, particularly in smartphones, semiconductors, and consumer electronics.
Karnataka’s Expanding Manufacturing Footprint
Karnataka has positioned itself as a key state for high-tech manufacturing. In addition to Foxconn, the state hosts facilities for companies such as Wistron and Pegatron—both also Apple suppliers—as well as global semiconductor and aerospace manufacturers.
Minister Patil said the new Foxconn facility would enhance the state’s role in global value chains without compromising stakeholder interests.
“As a Kannadiga, this is a proud moment. From Mysuru to Cupertino, Karnataka is making global headlines,” he said in a public statement.
Context: Apple’s India Expansion
Apple has been steadily increasing its footprint in India. In addition to expanding manufacturing, it opened its first flagship retail stores in Mumbai and Delhi in 2023. Apple’s India operations are expected to account for a growing share of its global revenue in the coming years.
In 2023, India overtook China as the most populous country and is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by the end of the decade. These shifts have made India an increasingly important market and manufacturing base for global technology firms.
As geopolitical dynamics continue to reshape global trade, the operationalisation of Foxconn’s Devanahalli plant reflects a broader trend: the rebalancing of high-tech manufacturing away from traditional centres and towards emerging economies like India.
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