Apple has chosen Tata Group to take care of iPhone and MacBook repairs in India. This move shows that Tata is becoming more important in Apple’s global supply chain.
So far, Tata has been assembling iPhones at three factories in South India. One of these factories even makes iPhone parts. Now, Tata will also handle repairs for Apple devices at its iPhone assembly plant in Karnataka. This work was earlier done by a company called ICT Service Management Solutions, which is a part of Taiwan’s Wistron.
Read more: Apple Moves iPhone Production to India: Here’s Why It Matters!
India is now the second-largest smartphone market in the world. With more iPhones being sold in the country—around 11 million last year—there is a growing need for repair services. Apple’s market share in India has grown to 7%, up from just 1% in 2020.
Experts believe that this partnership could also open the door for Apple to start selling refurbished iPhones in India, just like it does in the U.S.
While Apple’s service centers in India already do simple repairs, more complicated fixes will now be done at Tata’s facility. Meanwhile, Wistron’s ICT will continue to serve other clients, but not Apple.
Apple and Wistron didn’t comment on the news, and Tata also declined to say anything officially.
With Apple shifting more of its manufacturing from China to India, this move strengthens India’s position in Apple’s future plans. CEO Tim Cook has already said that many iPhones sold in the U.S. in the June quarter were made in India.
