Apple to Start Local Production of AirPods for Exports from India

In a fillip to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Apple is set to start the local production of AirPods for exports in the country -- its second product category after iPhones

As part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Apple is set to commence local production of AirPods for exports, marking the second product category following iPhones.

The production of Apple AirPods (models without Active Noise Cancellation or ANC) is being planned for export purposes at this stage, according to industry sources.

Production of the AirPods is expected to begin by April at the Foxconn plant in Hyderabad. However, there was no official comment from the company yet.

The latest research from Counterpoint revealed that India's TWS market shipments increased by 14 per cent year-on-year in 2024. The rise in shipments was driven by seasonal sales events, the introduction of more affordable offerings, and expanding usage across various applications, along with broader channel availability.

Meanwhile, leveraging the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple achieved record-high iPhone export figures from India, reaching Rs 1 lakh crore for the ten months (April-January) of the current financial year (FY25).

Industry data indicates that January saw iPhone exports reach approximately Rs 19,000 crore, setting a new all-time high. Overall, iPhone exports from the country grew by over 30 per cent during the ten months of this fiscal (April-January 2025) compared to the same period last fiscal (Rs 76,000 crore).

India holds significant importance in the Apple ecosystem, and the company achieved a December quarter growth record with the iPhone being the best-selling model in the country for the October-December 2024 period, as stated by Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Apple recently unveiled a cutting-edge lineup of AirPods models and features. The new AirPods 4 are the most advanced and comfortable headphones Apple has ever designed, featuring an open-ear design.