Apple is accelerating its manufacturing presence in India, expanding beyond iPhone production to include its popular AirPods lineup. The company has partnered with contract manufacturers such as Tata and Foxconn to assemble iPhones locally, and now Foxconn is reportedly planning to double the production capacity of its Hyderabad facility where AirPods are made. This expansion is part of Apple’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing and diversify its global supply chain.
According to The Economic Times, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foxconn, Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT), will increase its workforce and production lines at the Hyderabad plant over the next six to eight months. The move is expected to significantly boost the output of Apple AirPods, meeting growing global demand while supporting Apple’s objective of shifting more production to India.
Foxconn’s Telangana facility, located in Kongara Kalan, started producing Apple AirPods in April earlier this year. To scale operations, the company is reportedly importing machinery from its factories in Vietnam and upgrading existing lines to handle increased production. The plant is also planning to overhaul five production lines to accommodate newer AirPods models, likely including the recently launched AirPods Pro 3, ensuring that India becomes a major hub for Apple’s audio products.
This expansion reflects Apple’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its India manufacturing ecosystem, which has already seen the country emerge as a key market for iPhone production. By investing in AirPods manufacturing locally, Apple is not only addressing global supply chain challenges but also supporting India’s “Make in India” initiative, creating jobs and increasing the country’s share in Apple’s global output.