Apple is set to begin production of AirPods for export at the Foxconn facility in Hyderabad starting in April, sources have confirmed. This marks the second product category that Apple will produce in India, following iPhones, according to a news report filed by the ‘Economic Times’.
“Production of AirPods will begin at Foxconn’s Hyderabad facility in April, but initially, it will be exclusively for export,” an industry source told PTI.
In August 2023, Foxconn approved an investment of USD 400 million (approximately Rs 3,500 crore) to establish the factory. Apple has established itself as a leader in the global True Wireless Stereo (TWS) segment, with Canalys reporting a market share of 23.1 per cent in 2024, significantly higher than its closest competitor, Samsung, which holds around 8.5 per cent.
The decision to produce AirPods in India is noteworthy amid speculation that Apple might scale back production in the country due to reciprocal tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump. This move comes after Apple announced a USD 500 billion investment in the US manufacturing sector over the next four years.
India currently imposes a 20 per cent import duty on hearables and wearables, while the US has no such tariff. The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has proposed that India could benefit if the import duty on smartphones, hearables, and wearables were removed for products imported from the US.
The Trump administration has announced plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including India, beginning April 2.
