Mobiles
iPhone 16e Assembled in India for Local Sales and Global Export, Apple Confirms
Apple has confirmed that assembly of its newly launched entry-level iPhone, the iPhone 16e, has begun in India. This move signifies Apple’s continued expansion of its manufacturing footprint in India, with the iPhone 16e units being produced both for sale within the Indian market and for export to select countries globally. The iPhone 16e, positioned as the successor to the iPhone SE (2022) and a more affordable option within the iPhone 16 lineup, was unveiled just last week and is already seeing local assembly ramp up.
Assembled in India iPhone 16e for Local and Global Markets
Responding to inquiries, Apple officially stated, “The entire iPhone 16 lineup, including iPhone 16e, is being assembled in India for Indian consumers and for export to select countries.” This confirmation underscores India’s growing importance as a manufacturing hub for Apple, with the iPhone 16e joining a growing list of iPhone models being assembled in the country.
India Becomes Manufacturing Hub for Entire iPhone 16 Lineup
The iPhone 16e assembly further solidifies India’s role in Apple’s global production strategy. Notably, Apple has also begun assembling its top-tier iPhone 16 Pro models in India for the first time, marking a significant milestone. Previously, “Pro” iPhones were primarily assembled in China by Taiwanese partners. While initial iPhone 16 Pro units from India still carried an “Assembled in China” label, Apple later introduced “Assembled in India” models for the Pro series as well. With the addition of the iPhone16e, the entire iPhone 16 lineup is now being manufactured in India, alongside other models like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.
Diversifying Production Away from China: Mitigating Supply Chain Risks
Apple’s increasing focus on India-based manufacturing is part of a broader strategy to diversify its iPhone production beyond China. Over-reliance on Chinese manufacturing had previously caused supply chain disruptions, most notably during the iPhone 14 Pro launch when COVID-19 restrictions at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou facility led to significant shortages. Expanding manufacturing to India and other regions is a proactive step by Apple to mitigate such risks and ensure a more stable supply chain for its new and flagship iPhone models, reducing dependence on any single geographical area. Reports indicate that Apple aims to increase the share of iPhones made in India from approximately 15% currently to 25% by 2027.
iPhone 16e: Specifications and Features of the “Assembled in India” Model
The “Assembled in India” iPhone 16e offers a compelling set of features for its entry-level positioning in the iPhone 16 series:
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 60Hz refresh rate, 1,200 nits peak brightness, and Ceramic Shield protection.
- Camera: Single 48MP “Fusion Camera” on the rear, 12MP front-facing selfie camera.
- Processor: A18 chip (binned variant with slightly fewer GPU cores compared to iPhone 16’s A18).
- Operating System: iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence features.
- Other Features: IP68 dust and water resistance, Face ID, iPhone 15-like Action Button, USB Type-C port.
Pricing and Availability: Pre-orders Open, Sales Start February 28
The iPhone 16e price in India starts at Rs 59,900 for the 128GB variant, going up to Rs 89,900 for the 512GB model. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e are currently open in India, with official sales commencing on February 28th. The “Assembled in India” iPhone 16e will be available through Apple’s official channels and authorized retailers across the country, as well as being exported to other markets.
