In a significant move to meet Apple's ambitious production targets for the upcoming iPhone 16, Foxconn has recruited approximately 50,000 new workers at its Zhengzhou factory in China. This massive hiring spree, reported by local media including China Business News on August 8, signals a substantial ramp-up in manufacturing capacity for Apple's latest smartphone model.
The Zhengzhou facility, widely recognized as the world's largest iPhone production base, has been actively seeking new employees since late July. To attract workers, Foxconn has increased its hourly wage to up to 25 yuan and is offering attractive bonuses of up to 7,500 yuan, a notable increase from previous incentives.
This expansion comes as Apple aims to ship 90 million units of the iPhone 16 in the second half of the year, marking a 10% increase from the previous year's shipments. The period from August to December is typically the peak season for iPhone production and shipments.
The move by Foxconn appears to be a strategic response to Apple's recent challenges in the Chinese smartphone market. Despite ranking first in the fourth quarter of last year, Apple's sales in China dropped by 19.1% in the first quarter of this year, falling behind local competitors Vivo and Honor.
Contrary to speculation about relocating manufacturing facilities, Foxconn seems to be reinforcing its presence in China. The company recently announced plans to build a new business headquarters in Zhengzhou, with an investment of approximately $148 million.
As Apple and Foxconn gear up for the iPhone 16 launch, all eyes will be on whether this significant workforce expansion and production boost will translate into increased market share and a successful product rollout in the competitive smartphone landscape.