Foxconn Ramps Up AirPods Production in India as Apple Diversifies Supply Chain

Major Production Boost Underway

Apple’s manufacturing partner Foxconn is preparing to dramatically scale up AirPods production at its Indian facility, according to a recent report from The Economic Times. Sources indicate the company’s plant in Hyderabad will double its monthly output capacity from the current 100,000+ units to approximately 200,000 units. This represents one of the most significant single-facility expansions in Apple’s Indian manufacturing ecosystem to date.

What’s particularly interesting about this ramp-up is how Foxconn is executing it. Rather than building entirely new infrastructure, the company is reportedly overhauling five existing assembly lines while transferring additional equipment from its facilities in Vietnam. This equipment relocation strategy suggests Apple is actively rebalancing its manufacturing footprint across Southeast Asia, not simply adding capacity everywhere at once.

Workforce Expansion and Production Mix

The human impact of this expansion appears substantial. Current employment of around 2,000 workers is expected to surge to approximately 5,000 within the next six to eight months, according to the reports. That’s a remarkable workforce growth trajectory that underscores how quickly Apple wants to scale its Indian manufacturing capabilities.

Production at the Hyderabad facility currently includes both the standard AirPods 4 and the premium AirPods Pro 3 models. This mixed assembly approach is notable—it suggests Apple isn’t just using India for entry-level products anymore. The company appears increasingly comfortable manufacturing its higher-margin, technically sophisticated accessories in the country.

Broader Strategic Shift

This expansion follows a revealing production constraint that occurred in July, when AirPods manufacturing was reportedly hampered by dysprosium shortages after China tightened export controls on rare earth metals. That incident appears to have accelerated Apple’s diversification timeline.

Industry analysts suggest this isn’t just about adding manufacturing capacity—it’s about building redundancy into Apple’s supply chain. The strategic value became painfully clear during the rare earth metals disruption. Having multiple geographic sources for critical components and finished products is becoming increasingly essential in today’s volatile trade environment.

Meanwhile, Apple’s broader India strategy continues to gain momentum. The company has been steadily increasing its manufacturing presence across multiple product categories, with iPhones already being produced in substantial volumes. These AirPods expansions represent another important piece of Apple’s “China Plus One” manufacturing strategy taking concrete form.

The Hyderabad facility only began AirPods production in April after machinery and tooling were relocated, making this planned doubling of capacity particularly aggressive. It suggests Apple sees strong growth potential in the Indian market while simultaneously valuing the country as an export manufacturing hub. For Foxconn, this expansion solidifies its position as a key player in Apple’s diversified manufacturing future.