Foxconn Scales Up Hyderabad Operations to Meet Soaring Global Demand for Apple AirPods

Highlights

• Foxconn’s Hyderabad plant will double AirPods output to 200,000 units per month and expand its workforce from 2,000 to nearly 5,000 within eight months.
• Over ₹3,000 crore has already been invested in machinery transfers and new equipment.
• The Hyderabad facility is part of a $550M initiative to boost Apple accessory manufacturing in India.

Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT), the Indian arm of Taiwan’s Foxconn, is gearing up for a major scale-up at its Hyderabad plant to meet the rising international demand for Apple’s AirPods, as reported by The Economic Times. This development marks another key step in Foxconn’s long-term strategy to move part of its manufacturing base out of China and deepen its roots in India.

The Kongara Kalan facility, located roughly 15 km from Hyderabad’s international airport, began full-scale AirPods production in April. Over the next six to eight months, FIT plans to upgrade five of its existing assembly lines and boost monthly production from a little over 100,000 units to about 200,000. The company is transferring part of its production machinery from Vietnam to India and is also expected to add one or two entirely new lines to support the increase.

According to sources quoted in the report, the factory currently employs around 2,000 workers. This number is set to more than double, reaching close to 5,000 within the next eight months as capacity expands.

FIT’s total investment in the Hyderabad unit will climb to approximately ₹4,800 crore with more than ₹3,000 crore already deployed. The funds have gone toward equipment transfers from Vietnam and the installation of new machines for producing Apple’s latest audio products including the AirPods 4 launched last September and the new AirPods Pro 3 released earlier this year.

Supply Bottlenecks Eased

Production at the Telangana plant had briefly slowed earlier this year because of a shortage of dysprosium. It is a rare earth metal that became harder to source following China’s export restrictions. However, operations returned to normal in August after Beijing eased those limits and helped FIT restore consistent production output.

The Hyderabad plant is part of a larger $550 million project announced in May 2023 under Chang Yi Interconnect Technology (India) Pvt. Ltd. The initiative aims to create around 24,000 jobs and expand Apple accessory manufacturing in India including AirPods, cables, and connectors for both domestic and international markets. The project began with $150 million in funding and later secured an additional $400 million for expansion.

India’s Role in Apple’s Global Supply Network

Foxconn Interconnect Technology has been operating in Vietnam for over 16 years, but the company is now strategically broadening its global manufacturing map. Expanding in India not only diversifies its supply chain but also positions Foxconn closer to one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets.

Apple’s production footprint in India has already seen remarkable growth. In the first half of FY26, iPhone exports from India surged to $10 billion, a 75% increase from $5.71 billion in the same period last year, highlighting the country’s growing importance in Apple’s worldwide production and export network.

FAQs

Q1. Why is Foxconn scaling up its Hyderabad operations?

Answer. Foxconn is expanding its Hyderabad plant to meet rising global demand for Apple AirPods. The move supports its strategy to shift manufacturing from China and strengthen its presence in India.

Q2. How much will Foxconn invest in the Hyderabad facility?

Answer. Foxconn’s total investment will reach ₹4,800 crore, with over ₹3,000 crore already spent on equipment transfers from Vietnam and new machinery for AirPods production.

Q3. What impact will this Foxconn expansion in Hyderabad have on jobs?

Answer. The workforce at the Hyderabad plant is expected to grow from 2,000 to nearly 5,000 within eight months, contributing to a broader initiative aimed at creating 24,000 jobs in India.

Also Read –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apple-begins-trial-production-of-iphone-17-in-india-ahead-of-september-2025-launch/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apple-expands-iphone-production-in-india-with-new-tata-and-foxconn-plants/