Claim:
A viral claim suggests that Apple CEO Tim Cook announced during the April–June 2025 quarterly earnings call that most iPhones sold in the United States will now be made in India due to tariffs on Chinese imports.
Verdict:
False. Tim Cook made no such announcement. The claim distorts statements made during Apple’s earnings call and misrepresents Apple’s global manufacturing strategy.
The Claim:
Social media posts and viral articles have alleged that Apple CEO Tim Cook stated the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. will be manufactured in India, attributing the shift to the ongoing trade war and tariff pressures between the U.S. and China.
Fact-Check Analysis:
- Apple’s Official Statement:
Nowhere during the Q2 2025 earnings call did Tim Cook confirm that a majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. will be manufactured in India. The claim is misleading and exaggerated. Cook acknowledged India’s growing role in Apple’s supply chain but did not quantify it in such terms. - India’s Real Manufacturing Role:
India is indeed becoming a key assembly hub for Apple. According to data, Apple assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India during FY 2024–25. However, this accounts for only 8.4% of global iPhone production — far behind China’s dominant 76.6% share. India’s production primarily serves both domestic demand and part of Apple’s international logistics network, including limited U.S. exports. - No Direct Attribution to Tim Cook:
The quote “a majority of iPhones sold in the US will have India as their country of origin” does not appear in the official transcript or press releases related to Apple’s earnings. Reputable media outlets covering the call also made no such mention. The quote appears to be fabricated or taken out of context. - Strategic Diversification Misrepresented:
While Apple is diversifying production to India and Vietnam to de-risk from China, Cook also reaffirmed China’s position as the primary base for non-U.S. sales. The claim falsely implies a complete pivot, which Apple has not confirmed.
Context:
The misinformation appears to have gained traction amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and growing interest in India’s manufacturing capabilities. In recent years, Apple has scaled up its production in India — largely due to trade uncertainties and the Indian government’s incentives. However, Apple’s shift remains gradual and does not currently support the claim that most U.S. iPhones will be made in India.
Conclusion:
The viral claim is inaccurate. While Apple is increasing iPhone production in India, no official statement by Tim Cook confirms that most iPhones sold in the U.S. will now be made in India. The statement attributed to him is unverified and likely fabricated.
Verdict: False