India’s smartphone exports cross Rs 1 lakh crore in FY26, driven by Apple and PLI push

As per industry estimates, India’s smartphone exports have crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in the first five months of FY26, setting a new record. Despite tariffs and trade disputes with the US, the country’s smartphone export figures recorded a growth of 55 per cent – standing at Rs 64,500 crore during the same period last fiscal (FY25).

According to IANS (citing industry sources), contract manufacturers of technology giant Apple, Tata Electronics, and Foxconn contributed nearly 75 per cent of the exports, clocking exports worth over Rs 75,000 crore.

PLI scheme boosts domestic manufacturing

The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme encouraged the US technology giant to shift its manufacturing capabilities to India. Apple has ramped up production in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, taking advantage of the PLI scheme, untouched by potential tariff hikes.

Surge in iPhone exports to the US market

The iPhone maker has dedicated most of its export capacity in the country to supply the US market until 2025. iPhones shipped to the US from India are set to increase significantly, with 78 per cent of domestically manufactured iPhones to be exported in the first half of 2025 – up from 53 per cent last year.

India overtakes China in US smartphone imports

This year, India’s share of US smartphone imports rose to 44 per cent, while China’s share fell to 25 per cent, from 61 per cent in mid-2024. Total volumes of “Made-in-India” smartphones grew more than 240 percent year-on-year.

Global shift in supply chains benefits India

Along with China and Vietnam, India is now a major player in global electronics manufacturing, with companies shifting production to diversify supply chains.

Samsung and Motorola have also increased their share of supplies to the US from India, although their activities are much slower and on a smaller scale than Apple’s. Like Apple, Motorola also has its main manufacturing base in China, while Samsung mainly relies on producing its smartphones in Vietnam.

India now has 300 mobile manufacturing units, up from two in 2014. According to government data, 26 per cent of mobile phones sold in India in FY14 were made locally, which has now risen to 99.2 per cent.

With IANS Inputs