Good news for Apple fans in Indonesia! After months of negotiations, the iPhone 16 series, including the latest iPhone 16e, is finally set to launch in Indonesia.
This breakthrough comes after Apple and the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Industry, reached an agreement on the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) requirement.
As reported by Kompas, Apple has officially confirmed the news in a press release.
“We are excited to expand our investment in Indonesia and can’t wait to launch the entire iPhone 16 product range, including iPhone 16e, to local consumers,” Apple representatives stated in a press release received by Kompas.com on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
The deal was secured after the Ministry of Industry approved Apple’s investment plan for 2025-2028, which was a key condition for obtaining the TKDN certificate. Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita explained that Apple has committed to investing $160 million in cash.
Additionally, Apple agreed to an extra investment for the period 2023-2029 as a penalty for delays in fulfilling past commitments. The company will also establish a research and development (R&D) facility in Indonesia, along with the Apple Software Innovation and Technology Institute and the Apple Professional Developer Academy.
“This will make Indonesia the first country in Asia and only the second outside the United States to have an Apple R&D facility,” said Minister Agus Gumiwang. Currently, Apple has such a facility only in the U.S. and Brazil.
How Apple Will Meet TKDN Requirements
To fulfil TKDN regulations, Apple has committed to several major investments:
- Cash Investment: $160 million.
- AirTag Factory in Batam: Built through Apple’s manufacturing partner, ICT Luxshare, with an investment of $150 million.
- Production Line in Bandung: To manufacture mesh fabric for AirPods Max.
- Establishment of Apple Software Innovation and Technology Institute & Apple Professional Developer Academy.
- R&D Center Collaboration: Apple will work with 15 top universities in Indonesia to focus on software development.
Since its global release in September 2024, the iPhone 16 has faced challenges entering the Indonesian market. The ban was due to Apple’s failure to meet TKDN requirements. Additionally, the government noted that Apple had an outstanding investment obligation of $10 million from 2020-2023, which was only repaid in December 2024.
As part of the penalty, Apple was required to make additional investments, which are now included in the latest agreement.
With this deal in place, the long wait is finally over! Apple fans in Indonesia can soon experience the cutting-edge features of the iPhone 16 series officially.
