'Made in India' iPhone 14 to be cheaper after Apple launch event in September?

Apple iPhone 14: Tech giant Apple is set to hold its annual launch event in the first week September. The company will unveil its next-generation iPhones, Watch Series 8, other products and services at the much-anticipated event. The company is likely to launch 4 new iPhones -- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max (not Mini), iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. 

According to reports, Apple launch event could take place on September 7 with a pre-recorded event video. There is no official word from the company yet on the launch event date.

Before Apple launches the next iPhone lineup, a report has claimed that the Cupertino based company is planning a major change in its manufacturing plan, shifting from China to India. A Zee Business channel report, which cited Bloomberg, said that Apple is planning to manufacture iPhone 14 in India. The development comes amid heightened tension between the US and China over 'One China' policy. 

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Notably, China has also ordered the closure of several factories in the country due to extreme heatwave conditions. Also, frequent Covid-induced lockdowns and restrictions have affected businesses. 

Apple has been working with suppliers to ramp up production in India and shorten the lag in manufacturing new iPhones from the typical six to nine months for previous launches, said Reuters in its report quoting Bloomberg.

Apple is yet to confirm the report on iPhone 14 production in India. Zee Business Digital's query to Apple India remained unresponsive till the time of publishing this report. 

Apple currently manufactures iPhone 13, iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 at its Foxconn plant in Sriperumbudur near Chennai.  Apple started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, with iPhone SE. Today, Apple manufactures some of its most advanced iPhones in the country including iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. 

iPhone 14 to get cheaper in India after launch?

Apple iPhone 14 is not launched yet but it is one of the most searched topics on the internet. With reports suggesting that Apple mulling manufacturing iPhone 14 lineup in India, talks have started doing the rounds whether the devices will carry a cheap price tag in the country.

Experts have varied views on whether there would be any impact of the pricing. They believe that Apple would be able save 20 per cent on import duty and this will definitely impact the price of devices. But, no immediate changes in the pricing should be visible when the devices hit the shelves.

Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Counterpoint Research, told Zee Business: "It will help Apple save on 20 per cent import duty but at the same time we don't expect Apple to pass on everything to consumer as there are other variables at play here as well."

"In short, we can expect some pass on to consumers," Pathak added.

Faisal Kawoosa, founder analyst at TechArc, said that it is unlikely that iPhone 14 lineup will be available at reduced price in India. 

Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR, said that an earlier-than-usual production of Apple iPhone 14 in India will contribute to Apple’s market and growth momentum in the country.

"Coupled with aggressive marketing initiatives, Apple will be able to make further inroads into the Indian smartphone market during the all-important festive season," Ram told Zee Business.

The standard iPhone 14 models are expected to get few changes, but the iPhone 14 Pro models will include updated camera technology. The new iPhones with A16 Bionic chip may also see the removal of the notch in favour of a pill-shaped and hole-punch cutout.