Despite the huge interest in its yet-unannounced products, Apple has traditionally done a pretty good job keeping its secrets under wraps until launch day.
That may change this year, as hackers made off with photos of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, lists of components used in the device, as well as supplier data.
According to Reuters, a ransomware group stole data from Apple’s Indian supplier Tata Electronics.
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Tata disclosed the hack last week, as more than 200,000 files started circulating on the dark web, including component design papers for older iPhones, and Tesla parts (Tesla is also one of Tata’s partners).
The new documents, which have been reviewed by Reuters, could prove far more damaging, as they contain supplier info on “hundreds” of iPhone 18 Pro components, including details on chips, batteries, and cameras.
The leaked files also have photographs of iPhones undergoing drop tests, including, most likely, those of the iPhone 18 Pro. Reuters say the images show a “slab-shaped, grey handset with a three-rear-camera setup and an Apple logo,” though the agency says it was unable to identify the model number of the device with certainty.
Over the last couple of years, Apple shifted a big chunk of its iPhone production to India in an effort to become less reliant on China. The freshly leaked files coming out of India will likely put a strain on Apple’s relationship with Tata, though neither Apple nor Tata officially commented on Reuters’ findings.