Apple Starts Assembling iPhone 16e in Brazil Amid Global Production Shift

Apple has officially begun assembling the iPhone 16e in Brazil, signaling a deeper shift in its global manufacturing strategy. According to a new report from MacMagazine, the company is producing the device at a Foxconn facility in Jundiaí, São Paulo—marking another step in Apple’s ongoing effort to diversify its supply chain beyond China.

An image of the iPhone 16e packaging purchased in Brazil confirms the news. The label clearly states “Fabricado no Brasil” (Manufactured in Brazil) and lists Foxconn Brasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda. as the local producer. It also includes Apple’s standard one-year warranty language and confirms the device as part of Brazil’s domestic industry. The English-language label on the box also reads “Assembled in Brazil.”

Adding further credibility, Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has now published certification that verifies local assembly of the iPhone 16e.

This development comes as Apple continues to adjust to a changing trade environment. With growing tensions between the United States and China, the tech giant’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing has become a strategic vulnerability. Although President Trump has reportedly provided Apple with a temporary exemption from the new 245% tariffs on Chinese electronics, the long-term future of that exemption is uncertain.

To hedge against these risks, Apple has been ramping up production in other regions, including India and Brazil. Brazil, in particular, serves a dual purpose. Not only does local production help Apple manage costs and avoid tariffs within the country, but it also positions Brazil as a potentially valuable node in Apple’s broader global supply chain.

As trade disputes evolve and tariff pressures mount, Apple’s decision to increase output in Brazil appears to be more than a regional play—it’s a strategic move aimed at building resilience in a volatile global landscape. The iPhone 16e may be the first of many devices to come off the line in Jundiaí, as Apple continues to adapt to the shifting tides of international commerce.