If you’ve been following Apple news, you already know that a massive leadership change just happened. Tim Cook, the guy who led Apple for the last 15 years, officially stepped down as CEO on August 31, 2026. He’s been replaced by John Ternus, who was previously the head of hardware engineering. That’s big news on its own.
But here’s something that’s equally huge and directly impacts us in India.
While the world was focused on who’s taking over Apple, the company has been quietly making some serious moves in India. And these moves are going to change the iPhone game for everyone here.
Reports are now confirming that Apple is planning to significantly increase iPhone production in India over the next five years. We’re not talking about a small bump. We’re talking about a massive shift.
It’s a major sign of how important India has become to Apple’s global plans.
Tim Cook’s Final Act and John Ternus’s New Chapter
Before we dive into the India numbers, let’s quickly talk about why this leadership change matters.
Tim Cook took over Apple back in 2011 when Steve Jobs passed away. At that time, Apple was worth about $350 billion. Fast forward to 2026, and under Cook’s leadership, the company briefly touched a $5 trillion market cap. That’s absolutely insane growth. He turned Apple into a profit-making machine and made the iPhone the most popular product on the planet.
Now, John Ternus is stepping in. He’s been at Apple since 2001 and has been the guy behind the hardware for products like the iPad, AirPods, and the latest iPhones. He’s a product guy through and through, and his appointment signals that Apple wants to focus on building amazing products. He has a reputation for being calm, detail-oriented, and obsessed with getting things right—there’s even a famous story about him arguing over the exact number of grooves on a screw !
So, the transition is a big deal, but the company’s strategy for India seems to be continuing and even accelerating.
India’s iPhone Production Is About to Jump
Here’s the core of the news: right now, about 25% of all iPhones made globally are assembled in India. But according to officials from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), this number is expected to jump to 30-35% within the next five years. That would mean by around 2031, roughly one out of every three iPhones sold in the world will be “Made in India”.
To put that into perspective, just a few years ago, India’s share was tiny—around 6% in 2022. The growth has been rapid. In 2025 alone, Apple assembled about 55 million iPhones in India, a 53% jump from the previous year.
This also means the value of iPhone production in India is going to shoot up. The current annual value is around $25 billion, but this is expected to reach $40 to $45 billion by 2031. That’s a huge amount of economic activity.
Why Is Apple Betting Big on India?
So, why is Apple doing this? There are two main reasons.
First, there’s the China factor. For years, China has been the world’s factory, but there are rising risks there due to geopolitical tensions and tariffs. Apple is actively trying to diversify its manufacturing base and reduce its dependence on China. India has become the biggest beneficiary of this strategy. India’s huge workforce and growing technical expertise make it an attractive alternative.
Second, there are the government incentives. India’s government is really pushing for local manufacturing. They have schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which gives companies tax breaks and other benefits for making products in India. Apple has been the biggest beneficiary of these schemes.
The government has even proposed extending tax exemptions for foreign companies like Apple until 2041, giving them long-term certainty for their investments. They are clearly rolling out the red carpet. Reports indicate that the government is even considering new incentives tied directly to exports and the use of more local components.
What This Means for You
For a regular person in India, this news has a few interesting implications.
First, there’s the “status” question. Let’s be honest—a lot of people buy iPhones because they’re seen as premium devices. It is the main reason for many. The social status is definitely a thing. And knowing that your iPhone was made right here in India might actually make it feel more accessible.
Second, and more practically, this level of manufacturing means better supply. Apple is expanding its local production by working with partners like Foxconn and Tata Electronics, which now runs three major assembly plants in India. Having such a huge local manufacturing base should mean there will be fewer shortages of new models. You might not have to wait as long to get your hands on the latest iPhone.
What’s Next for Apple and India?
This is clearly just the beginning. Apple and its manufacturing partners, like Foxconn, are expanding rapidly. Foxconn is reportedly scouting for a new facility in Gujarat that would be larger than 200 acres to further its electronics manufacturing.
With a new CEO who is deeply passionate about hardware and product design, and with India becoming a bigger manufacturing hub, it’s clear that the next phase of Apple’s story is being written right here. Whether you buy an iPhone for its features or for its status symbol, one thing is certain: the iPhone in your pocket is going to be more “Indian” than ever before.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the new CEO of Apple?
John Ternus took over as the CEO of Apple on September 1, 2026. He was previously the senior vice president of Hardware Engineering and has been with the company for over 25 years.
2. What percentage of iPhones are made in India?
Currently, about 25% of the world’s iPhones are assembled in India. This figure is expected to rise to 30-35% by 2031.
3. Why is Apple increasing iPhone production in India?
Apple wants to reduce its manufacturing dependence on China due to rising risks. India offers a large workforce, technical expertise, and attractive government incentives like the PLI scheme.
4. What is the PLI scheme, and how does it help Apple?
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is an Indian government program that offers companies incentives and tax breaks for manufacturing products locally. Apple has been the biggest beneficiary of this scheme, which has encouraged it to expand in India.
5. Will this make iPhones cheaper in India?
Not directly. The main benefit is likely to be better supply and fewer shortages, not necessarily a price drop. The status symbol and premium pricing of iPhones will likely continue.
6. Is Apple moving all production out of China?
No. China will likely remain the backbone of Apple’s production for many years due to its massive supplier ecosystem. Apple’s strategy is to create a more balanced and resilient global network, and India is a key part of that.
