This move is Apple’s first instance of conducting new product introduction (NPI)—the process of refining a design for mass production—outside of China, as reported by The Information.
Over the past few years, Apple has actively worked to diversify its production and supply chain beyond China, establishing production capabilities in countries like India and Vietnam. This change was partially motivated by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a temporary production halt at Foxconn’s Chinese factory in 2022, which affected iPhone 14 availability.
Apple has been assembling select iPhone models in India since 2017, starting with the iPhone SE, and expanded to Pro models with this year’s iPhone 16 Pro.
According to the report, the iPhone 17’s NPI process includes early testing and adjustments to accommodate potential new hardware and design changes before large-scale production. It should be noted that this applies to the next-gen iPhone’s base model only.
If successful, this strategic move could position India as a pivotal player in Apple’s long-term production strategy.
