After iPhones, Apple reportedly starts manufacturing components for AirPods in India

• Apple has started manufacturing components for AirPods in India.
• A supplier of the company is manufacturing enclosures for AirPods.
• The components are being exported to Vietnam and China.

In a push to domestic manufacturing, Cupertino tech giant Apple has reportedly started manufacturing components for AirPods in the country. This is part of the company’s strategy to diversify its production across countries, reducing its dependence on China.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Jabil Inc., a major Apple supplier in the country has started manufacturing components for AirPods as part of the company’s push to expand production in India. This comes after Apple started manufacturing iPhone 14 in the country soon after its launch.

AirPods second device to be partially manufactured in India

So far, Apple’s production in India has been limited to iPhones. With the production of components for AirPods, the true wireless earbuds have become the second Apple device to be partially manufactured in India.

The components reportedly being manufactured are the enclosure or plastic bodies, so there is still some time before the AirPods can be fully manufactured in the country. These enclosures are reportedly being exported to Vietnam and China.

While there’s still some time before AirPods is fully manufactured in India, the government has been pushing for domestic manufacturing and has also provided initial clearances to over a dozen Chinese suppliers to set up joint ventures with Indian companies and begin production.

Luxshare Precision Industry Co Ltd., a major Apple supplier that makes AirPods is among the dozen companies that have received approval to begin operations in India.

The Indian government is planning to offer financial incentives as part of its production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for production of wireless earphones and smartwatches.

Apple has been pushing iPhone production in India for some time now. A recent report had revealed that around 40% of smartphone exports in 2022-2023 were by Apple.

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