Apple Exports India-Made iPhone 18 Pro for Global Launch

Apple has begun exporting iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models manufactured in India via chartered flights, primarily from Chennai to the United States. This marks the first time premium Pro models produced in India are available for the initial global sales date, signaling a maturation of the local manufacturing ecosystem. While India-made iPhone 17s were available on day one last year, the Pro models previously lagged.

Production is handled by Foxconn and Tata Electronics, with facilities operating round-the-clock. Approximately 80-90% of this local production is destined for export, as Pro models represent only 15% of the Indian domestic market. This shift follows a surge in exports to the US, which rose from $7 billion in 2024 to $19.2 billion in 2025 after tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration. The Government of India's smartphone PLI scheme has contributed to $71 billion in iPhone production over five years.

On September 18, 2026, Apple officially launched the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in India, opening six retail stores across New Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, and Karnataka. The new devices feature the A20 Pro chip and a 48MP Pro Fusion camera system. In the Indian market, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 and the Pro Max at ₹1,79,900. Additionally, Apple increased prices on existing models by over 20%, with the iPhone 17 now starting at Rs 99,900.