According to Bloomberg, Apple is delaying its 18-inch foldable iPad until 2029, with an expected price of up to $3,900, as the company diversifies its manufacturing operations away from China. This strategy involves relocating the production of numerous devices to other countries.
A significant portion of this manufacturing shift is centered in Vietnam. The country is now the production site for the new Vision Pro, which features the M5 chip, and its Dual Knit headband. Most of Apple’s AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads, and HomePods are also being manufactured in Vietnam.
The supply chain diversification extends to other regions and components. Production for some Mac computers has moved to Thailand and Malaysia. In a separate move, the company plans for the cover glass used in all iPhones and Apple Watches to be manufactured in the United States.
Future products are integrated into this global production plan. A new line of smart-home devices, including a smart home display, an indoor security camera, and a tabletop robot, is slated for production in Vietnam. For upcoming flagship phones, the iPhone 17 lineup sold in the United States will be primarily manufactured in India.
