Apple's Global Assembly Network

Apple products are primarily assembled in China, particularly in factories run by Foxconn and Pegatron. These facilities are located in cities like Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, employing hundreds of thousands of workers.

Foxconn's Zhengzhou facility, often called 'iPhone City,' can produce up to 500,000 iPhones a day. This factory alone employs around 350,000 workers, which is more than the entire population of some small countries.

Apple is diversifying its assembly locations. India and Vietnam are becoming significant production hubs. Apple's suppliers, like Wistron and Foxconn, have opened new facilities in these countries to mitigate risks from trade tensions and labor issues in China.

Apple invests heavily in automation to streamline assembly processes. Some production lines use advanced robotics to handle intricate tasks, although human labor is still crucial for quality control and final assembly steps.

Apple emphasizes ethical labor practices and environmental sustainability. The company audits its suppliers to ensure safe working conditions and aims to have all products and packaging made from recycled or renewable materials by 2030.

Foxconn's Zhengzhou facility is so large that it has its own internal subway system to transport workers quickly across the campus.