Apple and Indonesia Reportedly Reach Deal to Lift iPhone 16 Ban
Although Apple isn't planning to manufacture iPhones in the country soon.
If you live in Indonesia, you might finally be one step closer to getting your hands on the iPhone 16, as reports claim Apple and the Indonesian government have reached a deal to lift the iPhone 16 ban in the country.
The iPhone 16 was banned last year because Apple didn’t meet local rules, which required 35% of smartphone components sold in the country to be sourced locally. Big tech brands like Samsung and Xiaomi had met this requirement a while ago by setting up factories in Indonesia, but Apple just refused to do the same.
Instead, Apple focused on training programs and investment, putting $95 million into the country and setting up Apple Developer Academies. However, Indonesia later tightened its enforcement of local content rules, which also led to the ban of Google’s Pixel phones.
Now, recent reports suggest that Apple has stepped up its efforts to meet Indonesia’s demands. The company initially boosted its investment from $95 million to $1 billion and has now reportedly committed to setting up a manufacturing plant on Batam Island to produce AirTags, run by its supplier Luxshare Precision Industry Co., along with another facility in Bandung for accessories. The company has also promised to expand local training programs in research and development beyond its existing Apple academies.
Apple still isn’t planning to manufacture iPhones in Indonesia anytime soon, but these moves might be enough to get the ban lifted. There's still no official statement from Apple or the Indonesian government but according to Bloomberg, an official announcement could come as early as this week.
Louis Eriakha
