Apple makes iPhone 14 in India as China headaches mount

New Delhi (CNN Business) — Apple has started manufacturing its new iPhone 14 in India as the tech giant looks to diversify its supply chain away from China.

Although the company makes most of its products in China, it has decided to start producing its latest devices in India much earlier than previous generations.

The company introduced its new iPhone three weeks ago. The latest devices offer updated camera systems, a new interactive lock screen and, on Pro models, much faster performance. The company also introduced new safety features such as traffic accident detection technology and an emergency SOS tool.

“The new iPhone 14 lineup introduces innovative new technologies and important security features. We are delighted to be manufacturing iPhone 14 in India,” the company said in a statement on Monday, confirming weeks of speculation.

Apple devices are made in India by Taiwanese companies Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron, but the company typically starts assembling models in the country only seven to eight months after their launch, said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint. to CNN Business.

Monday’s announcement marks a major shift in its strategy and comes at a time when US tech companies are seeking alternatives to China, where global supply chains have been disrupted by rigid COVID-19-related lockdowns. Concern is also growing about the risk of a further rift between China and the United States over Taiwan.

Analysts have long predicted that Apple will reduce its reliance on China. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that the company was trying to increase production in countries such as Vietnam and India, citing China’s strict covid policy as one reason.

“Apple wants to diversify and not put all eggs in one basket,” Pathak said, adding that the move is a “show of faith in India.”