Apple is intensifying its manufacturing efforts in India with a significant expansion of AirPods production at the Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT) facility located in Kongara Kalan, near Hyderabad. The plant commenced commercial production of AirPods in April 2025, and Foxconn is now preparing to double its capacity and workforce to satisfy the rising global demand for wireless audio devices. A report indicates that Foxconn’s FIT unit is enhancing five production lines at the Hyderabad site to support new AirPods models, with some machinery being relocated from Vietnam and a few lines being entirely new.
This development is a crucial element of Apple’s strategy to broaden its manufacturing base beyond China, positioning India as a key hub for its audio and accessories segment. The facility’s strategic proximity, just 15 kilometers from Hyderabad’s international airport, provides logistical advantages for large-scale exports. The expanded operations at FIT are projected to yield nearly 200,000 AirPods monthly, doubling the previous output of just over 100,000 units. A source mentioned that over Rs 3,000 crore has already been invested, emphasizing the scale and speed of the expansion. The total investment for this initiative is anticipated to reach Rs 4,800 crore, demonstrating Apple’s long-term trust in India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The Hyderabad facility, operated by Foxconn’s FIT division, also produces connectors and cables for various global brands, serving both domestic and international markets, including the US and Europe. This diversification is part of Foxconn’s broader strategy to lessen supply chain reliance on any single region, particularly in light of recent global trade uncertainties. Currently, FIT employs around 2,000 individuals, but this number is expected to rise to 5,000 in the next six to eight months. This increase in hiring will contribute to Apple’s larger goal of creating 24,000 jobs under its investment plan announced in May 2023. Reports indicate that Apple’s manufacturing expansion in India has already resulted in over 350,000 direct and indirect job opportunities across the nation.
Although both Apple and FIT have refrained from commenting on the matter, this expansion highlights Apple’s growing dependence on its Indian partners for production stability. The project also involves collaboration with Chang Yi Interconnect Technology (India) Pvt Ltd, which initially received a $150 million investment, followed by approval for an additional $400 million. The facility has also overcome supply chain challenges, including a shortage of dysprosium, a rare earth element crucial for electronic components, due to China’s export restrictions earlier this year. With the lifting of those restrictions in August, production schedules are back on track. The growth of the Hyderabad plant signifies Apple’s ongoing commitment to establishing a resilient and diversified global supply chain.
As new models like AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 enter the market, India’s significance in Apple’s global manufacturing network is poised to increase, driving both production expansion and employment opportunities in the area.
