Apple will begin assembling its AirPods wireless earbuds in India for the very first time, starting early next year, according to a report from Bloomberg. Foxconn is scheduled to begin making the AirPods at a factory located near Hyderabad in Telangana state, beginning around Q1 2025.
The factory is already making AirPods on a trial basis, and manufacturing will ramp up quickly after production begins, the report’s sources said. This will make AirPods just the second major Apple product to be assembles in India. Some models of the iPhone are also assembled in the country.
Apple had first begun talking to Foxconn about assembling AirPods in India back in 2023. Foxconn executives were at first reluctant to assemble AirPods, due to the relatively low profit margins. However, the company decided to go ahead with the plan to “reinforce engagement” with Apple.
Apple’s decision to move AirPod assembly to India was partially due to the Indian government’s financial incentives to companies that produce earphones and smartwatches locally. However, the move also fits into Apple’s plans to lessen its reliance on China, due to rising geopolitical tensions between the country and the U.S.
