US EditionApple Tells Suppliers to Adopt Robots, Reduce Reliance on Workers Ahead of iPhone 17 Launch: Report
Apple's mandate for suppliers to self-fund robotics aims to cut costs and stabilize quality amid geopolitical tensions, risking thinner margins and possible industry-wide automation adoption.
- On Monday, Sep 1, 2025, Apple Inc. mandated supplier robotics as a prerequisite for contracts, covering iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac production.
- Facing U.S. tariff pressure and China tensions, Apple reportedly expects suppliers to fund their own automation upgrades, driving production diversification toward India and Vietnam.
- Apple has repurposed its robotics unit into the hardware division to focus on manufacturing, while the Daisy robot disassembles up to 1.2 million phones yearly, demonstrating robotics and AI integration.
- Suppliers now face squeezed margins and risk losing future orders, with thousands of job cuts and consolidation looming as smaller suppliers struggle with automation costs.
- By enforcing robotics, Apple Inc. may reshape industry standards, accelerating global adoption while supporting its production shift to India and Vietnam amid trade tensions.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Apple tells suppliers to adopt robots, reduce reliance on workers ahead of iPhone 17 launch: Report
Ahead of the iPhone 17 launch on September 9, Apple is pushing for increased automation in manufacturing, making it a requirement for suppliers. This shift is reportedly aimed to reduce labor dependency and costs.
According to DigiTimes, Apple has tightened its requirements for assembling its smartphones and insists on a complete transition of suppliers to robotic lines. For more than two years, the American IT giant has been demanding that contract manufacturers significantly increase the level of automation: advanced robotic areas have become the main condition for concluding new agreements. Apple demanded that partners independently invest in equipping…
Apple encourages suppliers to boost automation
As part of a shift away from Chinese manufacturing, Apple is accelerating an automation boost across its production supply chain. DigiTimes noted after increasing automation across all product lines for two years, pressure by the US government to relocate manufacturing out of China prompted the iPhone maker to step up its moves, with an eye to reduce labour requirements and improve yields. Apple reportedly now requires suppliers to invest in eff…
Mario Romero.- The manufacturing and production processes of the various companies in the area of technology, are aiming faster to replace in their chain less human personnel and more machines, specifically robots. We already see it in auto production plants in China, Germany and other countries and everything indicates [...] The post Apple urges its suppliers : Less human and more robots to produce iPhones first appeared on TransMedia.
machash.com
MacDailyNewsApple said to demand suppliers switch to robotic production
Apple's Daisy robot can disassemble up to 1.2 million phones each year, helping Apple recover more valuable materials for recycling. Apple is rapidly expanding automation and robotics in its manufacturing supply chain, according to DigiTimes. Although Apple has pushed for greater automation in supplier facilities for over two years, insiders report that it now mandates automation as a key condition for securing manufacturing contracts. This move…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
