Apple searches for charging scenarios for AirPods and iPads in India.

Mumbai, India
Rumor Score Likely
Apple is reportedly looking into expanding iPad manufacturing in India, as well AirPod charging cases. This follows its rapidly increasing iPhone production in India. Apple has been increasingly turning to India to produce the iPhone as part of its efforts to reduce its reliance on China. Local publication Benzinga reports that Apple plans to expand Indian production into other devices. Apple is reportedly looking to build the iPads in India to take advantage of the government’s initiatives aimed at attracting more manufacturing to India. Apple is also said be looking for a local manufacturer to produce the wireless charging cases of AirPods. Apple has moved its iPad engineering resources from the US to Vietnam in collaboration with BYD, a Chinese partner. Apple is trying to find a local partner for its iPad. It’s been claimed that government restrictions prevented this from being done in India. Apple has worked with Jabil for many years on different manufacturing jobs, including the AirPods charging case. Apple is now said to be planning to use Jabil India’s division to manufacture the AirPods charging cases in India starting early 2025. Jabil’s Pune facilities in Western India are reportedly testing production quality. Apple is said to also be considering Foxconn as a supplier for the same production. The Indian government is reportedly interested in Apple manufacturing the Mac and MacBook Pro within the country. This would include the AirPod wireless charging cases and iPads. This follows India’s brief proposal to boost local manufacturing by restricting laptop imported. This plan was first announced in August 2023 and then dropped two months later.