In April 2025, the Trump administration imposed a 145% tariff on most Chinese-made electronics. Many expected a mass exodus. But some of the world’s largest electronics brands are still producing in China—by choice.
• Apple
China Is Still Too Integrated to Leave
Apple still produces nearly all of its iPhones in China—about 90%, according to Time. Despite efforts to scale India, China remains essential.
- Foxconn, Luxshare, and Pegatron continue full-scale operations across Zhengzhou and Shenzhen.
- A full move to India could take 5–7 years, with some analysts warning of a 30–40% cost increase for devices made outside China.
- Apple received a temporary tariff exemption for iPhones, but it remains exposed to future policy changes, as noted in The Times.
- For more context on why China remains central to electronics production, see Why are All Electronics Made in China? Can It Change?
• Nintendo
China Handles the Volume, Vietnam Handles the Tariffs
Nintendo is splitting its production to balance risk and cost. According to Reuters, Switch consoles for Europe and Asia are still assembled in China, while Vietnam and Cambodia now handle U.S.-bound units.
- The company delayed preorders for the Switch 2 in the U.S. while evaluating the impact of the 145% tariffs, as reported by Polygon.
- Chinese plants remain critical for high-volume production, especially where tariffs are not a concern.
- This strategy allows Nintendo to avoid disruption while preserving its reliable China-based assembly lines.
• Samsung
Leaning Into China—Just Not for the U.S.
Samsung is still using Chinese factories, but in a more targeted way.
- According to Reuters, Samsung now outsources up to 25% of its smartphone production to Chinese ODMs like Wingtech and Huaqin.
- These models are geared toward emerging markets—not the U.S.—so the tariff hit is avoided.
- Meanwhile, Samsung continues to rely on Vietnam and South Korea for flagship devices sold in the West.
• Sony
PlayStations Still Made in China, Just Not Shipped to the U.S.
Sony is still manufacturing the bulk of its PlayStation 5 consoles in China, even after the tariff hike.
- As Economic Times reported, Sony has been stockpiling PS5 inventory in U.S. warehouses ahead of the tariff implementation.
- A full shift to Japan or Southeast Asia is being considered, but the current PS5 supply chain remains China-centric.
- The company has signaled price hikes for PS5 bundles in select markets, likely to offset increased trade friction.
What These Brands Are Teaching Us
Each company has a different playbook, but they share one principle: flexibility.
- China still offers the most complete electronics ecosystem on the planet.
- Rebuilding that elsewhere means years of delays and higher costs.
- Smart companies are shifting just enough to hedge—not enough to collapse efficiency.
That kind of flexibility doesn’t start on the factory floor. It starts in the design phase.
Portable by Design
At Titoma, we help companies build that flexibility into their product from day one.
- You can assemble in China when the economics make sense
- And shift to Colombia or Taiwan when policy, cost, or shipping time demand it
- You don’t need to redesign or remanage every time trade headlines shift
Our Colombia facility handles Final Assembly, Testing, and Packaging (FATP), allowing your product to earn a “Made in Colombia” label—often enough to avoid China-origin tariffs without giving up the benefits of sourcing in Asia.
If you’re shipping to the U.S., designing for flexibility isn’t a luxury. It’s a strategic advantage.
