Apple shifts production away from China and begins producing the iPhone 14 in Brazil

The tech giant Apple is seeking to diversify its supply chain over the course of the past few years. Given this fact, the company has started a new Apple plant as well as a new retail store in India. Besides this, China is still considered one of the main production sites for Apple products. Some fresh pieces of information suggest that the company has begun assembling the iPhone 14 in Brazil. The company is making efforts to shift production from China.

A reader of the Brazilian site MacMagazine recently bought a blue 128GB iPhone 14 in Brazil. He was astonished to discover that Foxconn Brazil, which is based in São Paulo, claimed the device was “Assembled in Brazil“, The Part Number of the device concludes with “BR/A,” indicating that it was assembled locally. Nevertheless, it appears like the regular iPhone 14 model is assembled in Brazil as no information about the iPhone 14 Pro or Plus model with the “BR/A” identifier was spotted. Do note that the iPhone models assembled in China come with the label “BZ/A” or “BE/A.”

Well, this is not the first time that Apple has assembled a smartphone in Brazil. In 2022, the company assembled the iPhone 13 in Brazil. In addition to this, Apple also assembles the iPhone SE in Brazil. Due to the local economic climate, the company focuses on assembling its less expensive devices in the country. This is wonderful news for Apple and its clients.

The vast majority of Apple products are subject to significant import tariffs in Brazil. Because of this, certain companies decide to invest in manufacturing their products in Brazil, which offers a tax break on the sale of such goods. In Brazil, the 128GB iPhone 14 costs R$7,599 ($1,520). Customers may now get the same model in nearby retail locations for about R$5,000 ($1,000).

Apple and China

The company is taking steps to lessen its reliance on China. The strict COVID policies and political conflicts have deeply impacted the company’s business in China. It was reported by the company that the availability of the iPhone 14 Pro would be limited during the holiday season of the last year. It was due to the ongoing situation in China. Since then, the company has increased the iPhone production in India.

Furthermore, in the Brazilian market, the company is permitting the assembly of smartphones for the local market. It will help Apple to overcome the supply shortages in the country. Whereas the company is considering both India and China for the assembly of the iPhone 15.