India’s Smartphone Exports Surge 60% to $13.5B in H1 FY26, Driven by Apple’s US Demand
In the first six months of FY26, India has increased its exports of smartphones by 60% to a high of $13.5 billion in sales between April and September 2025, which is up by $8.5 billion in 2025 compared to the sales made in the same period in 2024 through the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). High performance can be attributed to the increasing global competitiveness of the sector, with Apple at the forefront.
Apple launched its new iPhone models in September 2025, and in the same month, the company experienced a 95% growth in shipments in India, reaching $1.8 billion. This increase highlights the fact that India is increasingly becoming part of the global supply chain, with more production occurring under government incentive manufacturing schemes.
According to the ICEA, the smartphone manufacturing ecosystem in India has scaled and developed to the extent that it is a dependable exporting base globally. Apple's manufacturing partners, Foxconn and the Tata Group, have been increasing their production capacity to meet the high global demand.
US Market Drives Export Growth
As of the first half of FY26, the United States imported approximately 70% of India's total smartphone exports, compared to 37% in the same period a year ago. It increased almost twice, to 200%, with exports to the US rising to approximately $9.4 billion from April to September 2025, compared to $3.1 billion from April to September 2024.
According to market analysts, this growth can be attributed to the strategic shift initiated by Apple, which has led to India emerging as a strategic location for meeting the demands of US consumers. The other key export markets are the UAE, Austria, the Netherlands, and the UK. This change highlights India's significance as a trusted supplier of high-quality smartphones in the global market.
Industry Outlook and Future Prospects
Apple is not the only brand that exports to India; other brands, such as Samsung and Motorola, also play a role in augmenting India's exports. However, Chinese manufacturers based in domestic markets (Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi) have not given up on exports.
The steady increase in exports, according to ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo, is an indicator of a strong base to the Indian mobile phone manufacturing ecosystem. He proceeded to state that global value chains have become deeply entrenched in India's production base. ICEA estimates that smartphone exports may reach approximately $35 billion in FY26, compared to $24.1 billion in FY25. This growth has made India one of the leading destinations for smartphone manufacturing and export globally.