As the release of Apple’s iPhone 16 series approaches in just a few weeks, and preparations are in full swing. Foxconn, Apple’s primary manufacturing partner, has significantly ramped up production by hiring 50,000 new workers at its massive Zhengzhou factory.
This rush in production feels surprising, given that the iPhone 15 series was only recently released, marking the quick pace at which Apple continues to innovate and introduce new products. This new series of iPhones will soon take the spotlight, making the iPhone 15 Pro Max no longer one of the latest models.
Last month, Foxconn began recruiting additional workers for its Zhengzhou plant, the largest iPhone production facility in the world. To attract workers, Foxconn offered competitive wages of 25 yuan per hour, equivalent to $3.52 USD, along with a substantial bonus that has been increased from 6,000 yuan in June to 7,500 yuan ($1,046.51 USD).
This aggressive recruitment strategy reflects the high demand for the new iPhone series and Foxconn’s commitment to meeting Apple’s production targets.
Apple has entered the peak season for iPhone shipments, which spans from now until the end of the year. The company aims to ship 90 million units of the iPhone 16 series during this period, representing a 10% increase over last year’s shipments of 81 million iPhone 15 units.
With the Zhengzhou facility playing a crucial role in this production surge, the increase in workforce is expected to help meet these ambitious goals, driven by Apple’s confidence in the appeal of its new models.
The anticipated rise in iPhone 16 shipments compared to the iPhone 15 is due in part to Apple’s new Apple Intelligence AI initiative, which requires 8GB of RAM.
This feature will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models, making these devices more desirable. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays, which is expected to further boost consumer interest and sales.
While Foxconn continues to lead production in China, it is also preparing to manufacture the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max at its Sriperumbudur factory in India.
This marks the first time that Apple will produce any current iPhone Pro models outside of China, reflecting Apple’s ongoing efforts to diversify its manufacturing base. As geopolitical tensions persist, Apple aims to gradually reduce its reliance on Chinese production to avoid potential tariff impacts from the U.S. on Chinese imports.