It started long before phones. Apple went all in on Wifi before anyone even dreamed of wireless lans becoming mainstream. In 1999 they invested heavily in manufacturing wireless cards in Taiwan at their analog modem supplier (whoever was manufacturing for Lucent at the time, would be nice to know exact OEM), Apple had to babysit and teach their vendor every step of the way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj5NNxVwNwQ

Apple did the same for iPhone camera modules with Primax who went from small time accessories and gadgets manufacturer to one of Taiwan titans.