Apple Shifts iPad Production to Vietnam: Nikkei

Apple is ramping up production capacity in Vietnam as it looks to diversify its supply chain away from China. According to a report from Nikkei, Apple is working with key iPad assembler BYD to shift new product introduction (NPI) resources for the iPad to Vietnam.

It will be the first time Apple has moved NPI resources to Vietnam for one of its core devices, like the iPad. Apple's suppliers are also investing in Vietnam. Luxshare and Foxconn have both expanded their Vietnamese operations this year.

This move signals Apple's goal of manufacturing more products outside China to mitigate risks such as the ongoing geopolitical tensions and China's strict zero-COVID policies that have disrupted global supply chains.

Earlier this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple's plans to launch new versions of the iPad Air and iPad Pro alongside a MacBook Air equipped with a swifter M3 processor.

Engineering verification and test production for an upcoming iPad model will commence in Vietnam around mid-February. The new model is expected to be available in the second half of next year.