It’s official: Apple iPhone 12 to be ‘made in India’, all thanks to PM Modi’s clarion call for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

Stepping up its thrust on manufacturing in India, American tech giant Apple is planning to roll out locally made models of its upcoming iPhone 12 by the middle of next year, sources close to the development have said. This will be the seventh iPhone model to be made in the country, giving a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar vision.

Apple has so far localized the production of five models in India, including the iPhone SE (first generation), iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11.

Taiwan-based contract manufacturer Wistron has planned an investment of over Rs 2,900 crore in the country to ramp up efforts to manufacture the upcoming iPhone 12 in India, Business Standard reported citing sources.

The Apple supplier has commenced trials of the iPhone 12 project at its new facility near Bengaluru. It has also initiated hiring process for the same, aiming to launch the latest Apple device by the middle of the next year, the report added.

Wistron is aiming to employ 10,000 employers at the new facility while an estimated 1,000 workers are already working at the facility.

Apple is reportedly planning to hold its iPhone 12 event in the second week of October, with pre-orders to take place later that week and shipments to start the week after that.

The late announcement will give the Cupertino-based tech giant time to reopen more stores in different markets that are closed due to pandemic.

Apple is expected to launch four new iPhones under the iPhone 12 series which would include two premium variants.

iPhone 12 Pro will come in 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch sizes and may feature a high refresh-rate 120Hz ProMotion display, as presently seen on iPad Pro.