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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tata Electronics begins assembling iPhones at Hosur plant; to benefit Apple's diversification plans beyond China
Tata Electronics is continuing its rapid expansion, having purchased the Indian operations of Apple suppliers Wistron and Pegatron. (AI image) Tata Electronics has commenced iPhone assembly operations, including iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e models, at its Hosur facility. This strategic move positions them to become a significant player in the smartphone supply chain sector, currently led by Taiwanese companies like Foxconn , according to industry experts. Tata Electronics is continuing its rapid expansion, having purchased the Indian operations of Apple suppliers Wistron and Pegatron. The company has established a dedicated mobile phone assembly unit at the facility, as sources told ET. Also Read | Donald Trump's dream to have Apple 'Make in US' may raise iPhone price to $3,000: Experts Previously limited to manufacturing iPhone enclosures at Hosur, Tata Electronics has expanded its operations. "Earlier, Tata Electronics was doing assembly at their Wistron facility in Karnataka," a source revealed. "A few months back, they started assembly at a new plant at their Hosur campus where they launched around two lines and are looking to ramp it up to at least four more lines in some time." Sources indicate that each assembly line requires more than 2,500 workers to manage complete assembly operations. The source noted that upon reaching full capacity, this new Hosur assembly unit will surpass the operational scale of the Wistron facility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo For Tata Electronics, engaging in comprehensive assembly operations is a strategic advancement, enabling partnerships with supply chain entities and enhancing domestic value addition, according to Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research. Industry analysts have indicated to the financial daily that this progress will also advantage Apple. Also Read | 'Don't want you building in India': Donald Trump's clear message to Apple CEO Tim Cook to 'Make in US'; says India can take care of themselves According to Prabhu Ram of CyberMedia Research, "For Apple, which has been nudging its suppliers to diversify beyond China, this strengthens its India play." He notes that with Foxconn and Tata Electronics expanding operations and gaining expertise, Apple is positioned favourably to address supply chain concerns whilst boosting production for export and local markets. The presence of two robust, experienced suppliers will be crucial as Apple seeks to expand its Indian operations and reduce Chinese dependency, according to industry experts. Ram further stated, "As Tata Electronics deepens its engagement with Apple, it is well-positioned to build credibility and scale within the global electronics value chain-marking a pivotal step toward establishing itself as a competitive, end-to-end manufacturing partner." At its Hosur facility, Tata Electronics has been increasing its iPhone enclosure production. It organisation planned to double its current capacity of approximately 50,000 enclosures. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tatas' Hosur plant starts assembling Apple's iPhones
Tata Electronics has started assembling iPhone models including iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e at its Hosur facility, a move that may help it emerge as a mainstream smartphone supply chain player — an area dominated by Taiwanese firms like Foxconn , experts said. The electronics arm of the Tata Group has opened a new unit at the facility to begin mobile phone assembly, people aware of the developments told ET. So far, the company has been making enclosures for the iPhone at Hosur. "Earlier, Tata Electronics was doing assembly at their Wistron facility in Karnataka," one of the sources said. "A few months back, they started assembly at a new plant at their Hosur campus where they launched around two lines and are looking to ramp it up to at least four more lines in some time." Each line, this person said, can employ upwards of 2,500 people as it involves end-to-end assembly. Once this new assembly unit in Hosur reaches its full capacity, it will be larger than the operations at the Wistron plant, he said. Tata Electronics has been scaling expeditiously and has acquired the Indian arms of other Apple suppliers - Wistron and Pegatron . Queries sent to Apple and Tata Electronics remained unanswered as of press time Monday. "For Tata Electronics, getting into full scale assembly can be a strategic step as it provides a springboard for opportunities to tie up with other supply chain companies and is critical to add more value addition in the country," Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research said. The development will benefit Apple as well, experts told ET. "For Apple, which has been nudging its suppliers to diversify beyond China, this strengthens its India play," said Prabhu Ram, vice president, industry research group, at CyberMedia Research. "With Foxconn and Tata Electronics rapidly scaling and gaining operational maturity, Apple is well-positioned to mitigate supply chain risk while accelerating production for both export and domestic markets." As Apple looks to deepen its footprint in India and reduce its reliance on China, the presence of two strong, mature suppliers will be instrumental in enabling that growth, he said. "As Tata Electronics deepens its engagement with Apple, it is well-positioned to build credibility and scale within the global electronics value chain-marking a pivotal step toward establishing itself as a competitive, end-to-end manufacturing partner," Ram added. Tata Electronics has also been rapidly scaling up its production of enclosures for Apple's iPhones out of its Hosur unit. ET had reported on May 12 that the company was looking to double its existing capacity of around 50,000 enclosures. The company had achieved a capacity of about 50,000 enclosures before the fire that took place at the unit in September last year, which forced it to press pause on its expansion.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tatas' Hosur plant starts assembling Apple's iPhones
Tata Electronics has started assembling iPhone models including iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e at its Hosur facility, a move that may help it emerge as a mainstream smartphone supply chain player — an area dominated by Taiwanese firms like Foxconn , experts said. The electronics arm of the Tata Group has opened a new unit at the facility to begin mobile phone assembly, people aware of the developments told ET. So far, the company has been making enclosures for the iPhone at Hosur. "Earlier, Tata Electronics was doing assembly at their Wistron facility in Karnataka," one of the sources said. "A few months back, they started assembly at a new plant at their Hosur campus where they launched around two lines and are looking to ramp it up to at least four more lines in some time." Each line, this person said, can employ upwards of 2,500 people as it involves end-to-end assembly. Once this new assembly unit in Hosur reaches its full capacity, it will be larger than the operations at the Wistron plant, he said. Tata Electronics has been scaling expeditiously and has acquired the Indian arms of other Apple suppliers - Wistron and Pegatron . Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Queries sent to Apple and Tata Electronics remained unanswered as of press time Monday. "For Tata Electronics, getting into full scale assembly can be a strategic step as it provides a springboard for opportunities to tie up with other supply chain companies and is critical to add more value addition in the country," Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research said. The development will benefit Apple as well, experts told ET. Also Read: Trump to Apple: 'Don't expand production in India' "For Apple, which has been nudging its suppliers to diversify beyond China, this strengthens its India play," said Prabhu Ram, vice president, industry research group, at CyberMedia Research. "With Foxconn and Tata Electronics rapidly scaling and gaining operational maturity, Apple is well-positioned to mitigate supply chain risk while accelerating production for both export and domestic markets." As Apple looks to deepen its footprint in India and reduce its reliance on China, the presence of two strong, mature suppliers will be instrumental in enabling that growth, he said. "As Tata Electronics deepens its engagement with Apple, it is well-positioned to build credibility and scale within the global electronics value chain-marking a pivotal step toward establishing itself as a competitive, end-to-end manufacturing partner," Ram added. Tata Electronics has also been rapidly scaling up its production of enclosures for Apple's iPhones out of its Hosur unit. ET had reported on May 12 that the company was looking to double its existing capacity of around 50,000 enclosures. The company had achieved a capacity of about 50,000 enclosures before the fire that took place at the unit in September last year, which forced it to press pause on its expansion.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Compact smartphones gain popularity in India amid market shortage: Report
A recent survey by Counterpoint Research reveals a growing preference for compact smartphones among Indian consumers, despite the market offering limited options in this segment. The survey, conducted among over 2,000 young professionals and early jobbers, shows that 74% of respondents favour compact smartphones, with 68% feeling the market lacks sufficient choices. Consumer Expectations and Challenges Consumers are unwilling to compromise on key features like processor performance and battery life, with 88% of respondents indicating they would purchase a compact smartphone if it delivers flagship-level performance. Challenges associated with large-screen devices, such as difficulty in one-handed use and increased risk of drops, have made one-handed usability (55%) and ease of grip important factors influencing consumer preferences. Additionally, 71% of respondents prioritise a good in-hand feel, while 69% value the look and feel of the device. A screen size of 6 to 6.5 inches is considered ideal by 60% of users, reinforcing the demand for portable yet functional devices. Opportunities for smartphone brands Commenting on the findings, Tarun Pathak, Director at Counterpoint Research, highlighted a clear opportunity for brands like Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus to introduce high-performance compact smartphones. Pathak noted, 'Consumers approaching their upgrade cycles are leaning toward compact devices that offer comfort for long-term use without compromising core features. However, about 90% of smartphones launched in 2024 had screens larger than 6.5 inches, leaving a gap in the market.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Liverpool's 2025 Cruises Could Surprise You with Variety | Cruises Learn More Undo Gaming and AI features in compact devices The rise of mobile gaming has further fuelled interest in compact smartphones, with 86% of respondents preferring smaller devices for enhanced gaming comfort and reduced hand strain. Moreover, 84% of users favour customisable buttons for quick access to key features, while 89% emphasise the importance of AI-powered functionalities like voice assistants and camera enhancements. Need for balanced portability and performance Arushi Chawla, Senior Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research, stated, 'Consumers are increasingly seeking compact smartphones that balance portability with high performance. Brands have a unique opportunity to cater to this underserved segment by addressing concerns around battery life and processing power.'
Mint
23-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Apple on track for biggest year in India sales, say experts
New Delhi: Powered by the enduring popularity of the iPhone, Apple Inc.'s dream run in India appears poised to accelerate, with three analysts saying the company may nearly double its revenue this year (FY26) from just two years ago to $15 billion, and continue to grow its revenues at an estimated 30% year-on-year over the next five years. Alongside, the analysts said the Cupertino-based tech giant is also likely to crack the top 5 in India in terms of number of phones sold, a big feat for the premium, high-priced smartphone maker that started selling its phones in the country in 2008. The $15 billion revenue estimate, if realised, would be almost twice the $7.9 billion the company earned in India in FY24, according to its regulatory filing with the ministry of corporate affairs (MoCA). To be sure, the FY24 figure is largely based on its sales in 2023. While its FY25 filing is awaited (likely later this year), analysts projected it to report around $11 billion. Of course, the revenue would also include organically increasing sales of the company's iPad tablets, AirPods (headphones) and the Mac line of desktops and laptops. An estimated 70% of Apple's revenue in India comes from the iPhone, according to Tarun Pathak, partner and director at Counterpoint, and the rest from other products. Also read | Centre mulls maximising electronics earnings amid uncertainty over Apple exports, tariff haze Apple did not respond to Mint's queries on India growth projections till press time. What has helped the company's cause is its attempt to sell Mac laptops to enterprises, a senior industry consultant said, requesting anonymity. Over the past year, Apple signed deals with homegrown tech services firms Wipro and Zoho to offer Macs at their workstations. All this has ensured that Apple today has the strongest pitch to market an ecosystem of products, and not just standalone devices, said Prabhu Ram, head of industry intelligence at market analysis firm Cybermedia Research. 'While the iPhone is the most obvious entry point for companies into the Apple ecosystem, a vast majority of them go on to then buy an AirPod, then perhaps an Apple Watch and, subsequently, also subscribe to Apple's closely integrated subscription services," Ram said. 'In the long run is when they convert to buying a Mac or an iPad—creating a long trail of sales that is quite unlike most other tech brands in India right now." Read this | Apple's India engineers push iPhones closer to hinterlands with local languages Navkendar Singh, associate vice-president at IDC India, agrees with the growth story but points out a caveat as well. 'There is of course plenty of growth room for Apple in India right now, but there will undoubtedly be a glass ceiling that the company will hit at some point since we're not seeing many organically new buyers joining the smartphone world," Singh said. 'We're seeing the smartphone space go through a K-shaped recovery curve, which means that in many segments, there's simply no demand." Meanwhile, a consensus of three analysts—Ram of Cybermedia, Singh of IDC, and Counterpoint's Pathak—projected that by the end of 2025, Apple could sell over 15 million iPhones this year, raking up 8% or more in terms of its volume-wise market share. According to these analysts, such a feat would help Apple break into India's list of top five smartphone brands by volume for the first time—currently it is at No. 6, with Chinese smartphone maker Vivo at the top of the pecking order, data from IDC showed. This would be a herculean feat for Apple in one of the world's most price-sensitive markets, since the tech giant sells its devices at least three times higher priced than the market's average pricing. According to analyst estimates, Apple sold 9.5 million iPhones in 2023, followed by 12.5 million units last year. Also read | Mint Primer | Will Apple's UK move spell doom for privacy? Then, there is the aspect of its market reputation, coupled with an increasing base of premium smartphones in the country. Pathak said India is on track to cross a net active base of 120 million 'premium' smartphones—devices priced above ₹ 50,000—by 2028. 'What we see here is that Apple alone accounts for nearly half of this premium market, which gives it a large market to continue to cater to," Pathak added. However, while rising sales is good news, experts warn that India should cash in on this opportunity—or risk remaining a low-value nation in the long run for Apple and the overall electronics industry alike. IDC's Singh said substituting China from the electronics supply chain might be difficult but isn't impossible. 'That's where India sees an opportunity to become both a bigger market for Apple, and also earn more by increasing the local value addition from iPhone sales," he said. The last bit, though, is yet to play out. While electronics manufacturers in India are set to increasingly make components locally—including battery cells, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and device moulds—such components are a part of the low-value items in the net cost of manufacturing an iPhone. And read | With AI in Indian iPhones, can Apple rival Google's appeal for coders? 'The most expensive parts of the iPhone, which are localized in China and Taiwan, are the semiconductor chips and the 'OLED' displays. Until these are localized, India will continue to remain the cost arbitrage-driven large-volume assembler for Apple—akin to what China was for the company over a decade ago," Singh added.
