Apple's Secrecy Standards Complicate iPhone 14 Production in India

After the first wave of devices are released out of China, Apple will begin production in India about two months after, as partners try to duplicate the complex supply chain operation in another country for the first time.

According to people familiar with the matter, Apple has been working with suppliers to ramp up manufacturing in India and shorten the lag in production of the new iPhone from six to nine months.

According to the report's sources, a simultaneous start in India and China is not realistic this year, although it remains a long-term goal.

The country's clash with the U.S. government is said to be one of the reasons why Apple is looking for alternatives. The process of shipping components from China and assembling the iPhone 14 devices at the plant outside the southern Indian city of Chennai has been studied by the company.

One of the biggest challenges the manufacturer has faced is finding ways to maintain Apple's high standards for secrecy.

Local executives in India looked at the possibility of isolating one of the assembly lines, sequestering workers and scrutinizing all possible ways in which the security of the device could be compromised, according to a report.

Apple is worried about Indian customs officials who unseal packages to check if imported materials match their declarations, which could jeopardize the company's strict product secrecy controls.

Due to the high possibility of leaks and other operational challenges, Apple and Foxconn have decided against a simultaneous launch in China and India, and the first iPhone 14 models from India are likely to be finished in October or November.

Retail employees are said to be preparing for a new product release on Friday, September 16th, which could mean that the new iPhone and Apple Watch models could be released that day. There will be a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.