Source: Apple
Apple recently ended its annual fall event dubbed “Awe Dropping” by making some major announcements. The much-anticipated Siri upgrade was strangely missing but Apple did reveal several exciting products, including a new streamlined iPhone Air, redesigned iPhone 17 Pro models, and new AirPods Pro with integrated heart rate monitoring. The standard iPhone 17 also debuted with the ProMotion display, finally available, while the Apple Watch family was given significant health upgrades. Apple confirmed dates for new operating system releases as well.
Meanwhile, Apple has continued its ramping up of production of its new iPhone 17 series in India, and its factories in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka remained at capacity to meet demands in the U.S., Europe and India.
Factories at Work
Apple now produces the iPhone 17 family across five factories in India.
Foxconn’s new 300-acre facility in Bengaluru, which started the trial runs in April, has already vaulted ahead to be India’s largest iPhone factory.
Foxconn and Tata’s Pegatron units are assembling the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 17 base model is coming out of Tata’s Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu and Wistron’s unit in Karnataka.
The super-slim iPhone Air is being produced at Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur plant.
These plants are also making the older iPhones, including the iPhone 14, 15, and 16, allowing Apple to have the deepest range of devices in India ever.
Exports are Picking Up
For the first time, iPhones that have been manufactured in India will be available globally on launch day (not just after the China shipments have been released). Now, almost half of the iPhones sold in the U.S. are made in India.
In the first half of 2025, smartphone exports from India increased 30% to 40 million units, propelled in large part by iPhones. The U.S. was the biggest buyer, taking 54%, up from 30% a year ago. Analysts believe that figure will exceed 60% in the second half as Apple ramps up shipments.
Pricing and Demand
Although the iPhone 17 series is priced higher than that of the iPhone 16, experts expect sales to remain good. Many of the Indian customers buy iPhones using EMI plans, trade-ins and bank offers, which in some way helps reduce the increased prices
iPhone 17 Series Prices in India Announced
Apple has now announced their pricing for the new iPhone 17 family in India and announced pricing for all four models; iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The regular iPhone 17 is available for ₹82,900 for the 256GB version and for ₹1,02,900 for the 512GB option.
The iPhone 17 Air, a more slimmed-down and lighter version is now available for ₹1,19,900 for 256GB, ₹1,39,900 for 512GB and ₹1,59,900 for 1TB.
The iPhone 17 Pro model boasts advanced performance at a cost of ₹1,34,900 for 256GB, ₹1,54,900 for 512GB and ₹1,74,900 for 1TB.
At the very top of the lineup, the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at ₹1,49,900 for the base model with 256GB. The 512GB model costs ₹1,69,900; the 1TB model costs ₹1,89,900; and the 2TB model costs the steepest price at ₹2,29,900.
With these prices, Apple is still branding the iPhone 17 series as a premium offering for the Indian market.
Apple’s broader strategy
Apple is also encouraging suppliers from China, Japan, and Taiwan to establish factories in India, as part of the government’s drive to develop local electronics manufacturing. Apple is working closely with the central and state governments towards increasing local sourcing and adding more value in India.
Even though U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Apple to scale back in India, the technology giant is proceeding with its “China-plus” strategy to lessen reliance on Chinese factories and make India a major global base.
Looking Ahead: India is not an alternative market for Apple anymore, but has instead become a primary production market. Apple has factories running at max production and exports are increasing rapidly. Apple is placing its bets on India to provide power to Apple’s global supply chain going forward.
