For some time now, there has been talk of Apple’s strategies for decrease its dependence on China – the manufacture of the Apple, after all, is almost entirely based on the Wall Country, which does not represent an interesting prospect amid the country’s tensions with the United States. Some plans have already been put in place, such as the manufacture of iPhones in India; now, it would be the AirPods’ family’s turn (probably) to pack.
More specifically, sources of The Information revealed that Apple intends to produce part of the “AirPods Studio” – the company’s first circum-aural headphones, as rumors have fanned – in the Vietnam. The report cites two Apple suppliers in the country, Goertek and the Luxshare, as likely assemblers of the devices.
Vietnam would not produce 100% of the “AirPods Studio”: factories in China would also be responsible for part of the assembly, to guarantee an output pace that meets global demand.
Anyway, the news represents an important milestone for Apple: if confirmed, it will represent the first time that Apple will start production of a new device in a country other than China. In all other cases, such as the iPhone, manufacturing has always started in the Wall Country and only later expanded to some other country, to supply demand or to strengthen local relations.
This does not mean, of course, that Vietnam is an amateur in assembling Apple products: the country already produces a series of company accessories, such as Traditional AirPods, EarPods and Lightning cables. The production of “AirPods Studio” in the country will, in fact, serve to enhance the creation of local talents and deepen the experience of Apple’s partners in the manufacture of more sophisticated devices – possibly opening doors for the assembly of other products soon.
According to the report, the first “AirPods Studio” will leave factories in Vietnam and China between June and July next – which, if confirmed, will allow Apple to put the devices on sale in the second half, as ventilated. It remains to be seen whether the price of the headphones, $ 350, will be realized.
via MacRumors
