Daily Tech

  No Local Manufacturing & Retail Apple does not have a local manufacturing unit in India. They gave contracts for assembly (not manufacturing) of its iPhone 7 and iPhone SE smartphones to Foxconn and Wistron. Since they are assembled here, these devices are relatively cheaper. Components and PCBAs (printed circuit board assemblies) for these phones are still imported. Most iPhone flagships are imported and drive the cost up. Also, as per the Indian Foreign Direct Investment policy, for a company to set up a manufacturing unit in the country, it has to source 30 percent of components locally, which is impossible for something like the iPhone. Also, Apple sells its smartphones and other products in India via its vast third-party retail network. Though it has recently introduced its official online store for India, even that it is dependent on third-party vendors for distribution. These vendors, distributors, transport agents, and other middlemen take a hefty cut. Also, Read iPho...