Apple reportedly in talks to assemble iPhone chips in India

Apple has been aiming to make most of its iPhones sold in the United States at factories in India by the end of 2026 and is speeding up those plans to navigate potentially higher tariffs in China

Apple is in early discussions with Indian chipmakers to assemble and package components for the iPhone, the Economic Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

It is the first time Apple has considered assembling and packaging some chips in India, the ET report said, adding that it is unclear which chips will be packaged at the Sanand facility, though they are likely display chips.

The person added that this may be the “beginning of an uphill climb” for CG Semi since if talks progress, it will have to pass Apple’s stringent quality standards to clinch the deal. Apple is already in talks with several companies for a number of other supply chain functions, and very few will end up on their supplier list, the person said.

The companies are in the very initial stages of discussion, one of them said.

Exploratory conversations have taken place between Murugappa Group-owned CG Semi, which is building an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, said the people cited.

CG Semi told ET that it does not comment on market speculation or discussions with specific customers. We will make appropriate disclosures as and when there is something concrete to share, the company told the newspaper.

Apple has been aiming to make most of its iPhones sold in the United States at factories in India by the end of 2026 and is speeding up those plans to navigate potentially higher tariffs in China, its main manufacturing base, Reuters reported in April.

In April, the U.S. administration imposed 26% duties on imports from India, far lower than the more than 100% levied on Chinese goods at the time. Washington has since paused most duties for three months, except those on China.