Apple is launching a trial production period of its wireless AirPods in Vietnam in a bid to reduce reliance on China . One of the company 's key partners , Chinese acoustic component manufacturer Goertek , is set to test the resilience of its northern China facilities with a phase of limited output , ahead of potential mass production , marking the first time the earphones have not been manufactured in China , after shipping 10 million in 2018 . Apple has written to components suppliers, asking them to support Goertek's efforts despite initially very small volumes, according to a communication seen by the Nikkei Asian Review. Apple is looking to source 20 % to 30 % of its output from outside China as the labour cost benefits in the world 's second largest economy begin to diminish .
Apple is launching a trial production period of its wireless AirPods in Vietnam in a bid to reduce reliance on China . One of the company 's key partners , Chinese acoustic component manufacturer Goertek , is set to test the resilience of its northern China facilities with a phase of limited output , ahead of potential mass production , marking the first time the earphones have not been manufactured in China , after shipping 10 million in 2018 . Apple is looking to source 20 % to 30 % of its output from outside China as the labour cost benefits in the world 's second largest economy begin to diminish .