iPhone 17 Being Developed in India: What to Expect From Base Model

Apple's manufacturing partner Foxconn is conducting early development of the base iPhone 17 at a factory in Bengaluru, India, according to The Information's Wayne Ma. This is considered to be a "milestone" for Apple's manufacturing efforts in India.

iphone 16 teal
The paywalled report said this iPhone 17 model has already passed an early development stage, as Apple evaluates whether India-based engineers can develop iPhone prototypes that match the quality of those built at its California headquarters. Apple's goal is to start developing new iPhones as early as possible in locations closer to where final assembly takes place, which could result in lower operating costs for the company.

The report does not reveal any new features or changes planned for the iPhone 17, but Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu outlined some features that he expects for the base model in a research note earlier this month:

  • 6.1-inch display
  • A19 chip
  • 8GB of RAM
  • An upgraded 24-megapixel front camera
  • Two rear cameras, including a 48-megapixel Fusion and 12-megapixel Ultra Wide
  • Aluminum casing

Based on these specs, the base iPhone 17 will not be a major upgrade over the iPhone 16.

The primary development locations for the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will still be in China, according to the report. Pu believes the ultra-thin iPhone 17 will feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of RAM, and more, while the iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to feature a 48-megapixel Telephoto camera, 12GB of RAM, and more. The devices should launch next September.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
17 months ago

Based on these specs, the base iPhone 17 will not be a major upgrade over the iPhone 16.
M.O.S. I call it ...

"more of same"

I wonder how many more years Apple can get away with rearranging the deck chairs and slightly tweaking the camera?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
everlast3434 Avatar
17 months ago
The bright side is, there's no charger in the box because Apple cares about the environment.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applyr Avatar
17 months ago
So it's the iPhone 16 with a new selfie camera and just being manufactured in India.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CJM Avatar
17 months ago

Apple's goal is to start developing new iPhones as early as possible in locations closer to where final assembly takes place, which could result in lower operating costs for the company.

A company like Apple shouldn't be inhibited by distance affecting Dev -> assembly of their devices. I wonder what the words between the lines are.
Legislation. Apple sees India as a big new market and operating there requires investment in the country.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spcopsmac21 Avatar
17 months ago

M.O.S. I call it ...

"more of same"

I wonder how many more years Apple can get away with rearranging the deck chairs and slightly tweaking the camera?
As long as people keep paying.

My iPhone 14PM bit the dust and I was forced to get a new 16PM because I need the camera.


And honestly it does not feel like an upgrade. Aside from the button on the side I feel like a just paid full price for a new iPhone 14PM in 2024……

If Apple pulls this again I feel like there will be a revolt.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pugxiwawa Avatar
17 months ago

Based on these specs, the base iPhone 17 will not be a major upgrade over the iPhone 16.
It's a yearly competition how small increments Apple can make them and people will still buy
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)