Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 15 series, which includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, has made its debut in stores across India and several other countries on September 22. This release marks a significant change in strategy for the Cupertino-based tech giant, as the India-built iPhone 15 models are now available worldwide on the same day as the global launch, eliminating previous delays.
Made in India
For the first time, Apple has ensured that its India-manufactured iPhone 15 series reaches customers in India without any lag compared to their China-made counterparts. These devices are believed to have been produced at the Foxconn factory in Chennai. The new iPhone lineup was unveiled on September 12 during the “Wonderlust” event and became available for pre-order on September 15.
The Milestone for India
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, hailed this achievement as a milestone for India. He noted that Indians can now access the latest Apple products without any delays and expressed the hope that the iPhone 15 series will soon be exported from India to the world.
Diversifying Manufacturing
Apple’s decision to release India-made iPhones concurrently with their global launch is seen as a strategic move to diversify its manufacturing capacity amid geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. The company has been working towards making India a global hub for iPhone production.
Expanding Production
Currently, Apple produces approximately 7 percent of its iPhone models in India. The company’s retail stores in India, including the Apple BKC store in Mumbai and the Apple Saket store in Delhi, opened earlier this year.
Future Production Plans
Looking ahead, Apple plans to continue manufacturing the regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models in India. Reports suggest that the iPhone 15 Plus will also be produced locally at Foxconn’s Chennai facility in the next quarter. Foxconn’s Chennai factory employs around 40,000 people, and the company is investing $600 million for two projects in Karnataka to manufacture casing components for iPhones and chip-making equipment. Other Apple suppliers like Pegatron and Wistron are expected to join in assembling the iPhone 15 series soon.
Key Features of iPhone 15 Series
The iPhone 15 series introduces a USB Type-C port and boasts a titanium build. All models feature Dynamic Island technology and run on the latest iOS 17. The iPhone 15 models are equipped with the A16 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature the A17 Pro chip.
Pricing and Availability
In India, the base model of the iPhone 15 starts at Rs. 79,900, while the iPhone 15 Plus starts at Rs. 89,900. The iPhone 15 Pro begins at Rs. 1,39,900, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is available starting at Rs. 1,59,900. Customers can purchase these devices through Apple’s online store, Apple BKC, Saket, various e-commerce websites, and official retail outlets.
