According to reports on April 16th, Apple is actively negotiating with two Indian giants — the Murugappa Group and Tata Group's Titan subsidiary — with the aim of assembling and producing subcomponents for iPhone camera modules. It is expected that Apple will finalize and announce this important partnership within five to six months.
The camera module, as one of the core components of the iPhone, plays a crucial role in the overall user experience. Despite successfully assembling multiple iPhone models in India, Apple has yet to find a local supplier for camera modules. Negotiating cooperation with the Murugappa Group and Titan Company undoubtedly marks a crucial step for Apple in establishing a complete supply chain in India.
Titan Company is renowned for its precision manufacturing capabilities in watch and jewelry components, while the Murugappa Group is a conglomerate with businesses spanning engineering, financial services, and chemicals, among other sectors. The strength and experience of these two groups undoubtedly provide strong support for Apple's further development in the Indian market.
According to insiders, as many as 14% of iPhones are currently assembled and produced in India, accounting for about one-seventh of Apple's global output. With deepening cooperation with local Indian companies, Apple aims to achieve its goal of shifting at least half of its supply chain to India and increasing the local value addition of suppliers by nearly 50% within the next three years.
Since the Indian government launched its smartphone production incentive scheme in August 2021, the Apple ecosystem has become a major force driving the development of the Indian job market. According to an Indian official, over the past 32 months, the Apple ecosystem has directly or indirectly created over 400,000 jobs, making a significant contribution to the local economy.
In addition, Apple directly employs nearly 3,000 staff in India and has created over 1 million job opportunities through its iOS app development ecosystem. These initiatives not only strengthen Apple's position in the Indian market but also further promote the development and prosperity of the local economy.
