The idea of creating an iPhone entirely in the U.S. seems appealing, but remains impractical, despite continuous discussions around it. Even though Apple has explained multiple times why it’s not feasible, the dream of a made-in-USA iPhone refuses to fade.
The Financial Times recently addressed why this idea isn’t realistic. They emphasized the 2,700 individual components in each iPhone, with many parts involving separate smaller pieces that aren’t easily seen. Apple’s iPhone parts are produced across 700 different production sites, but only 30 suppliers are based outside China. This is a huge issue. The Chinese suppliers are located close together and collaborate closely, a system that took decades to build. Recreating such a complex network in the U.S. would take just as long, if not longer.
While some iPhone parts, like display glass and Face ID lasers, are made in the U.S., much of the rest, including touchscreen elements, comes from South Korea and is assembled in China. The process is too intricate and spread out globally to be moved to a single location without serious complications.
Additionally, moving production to the U.S. makes little political sense, particularly with changing administrations. As Andy Tsay, a professor at Santa Clara University, points out, investing in long-term changes is difficult when policies shift every four years. Even if Apple considered such a move, it wouldn’t happen before the current presidency ends, making it an impractical decision.