Apple has achieved a historic milestone with iPhone exports from India reaching $10 billion (around Rs 88,730 crore at current exchange rates) in the first six months of this fiscal year, marking a 75% increase from $5.71 billion in the same period last year, officials familiar with the details told The Economic Times.
September exports surge despite strong domestic demand
In September alone, a month traditionally slower due to consumers awaiting new iPhone launches, Apple shipped $1.25 billion worth of devices from India, according to data cited by The Economic Times. This represents a 155% rise compared to $490 million exported in the same month last year. Despite strong domestic sales of the newly launched iPhone 17 series, Indian factories supplied global markets efficiently.
Global rollout from Indian factories
Experts told The Economic Times that Apple now ships all iPhone models-including Pro, Pro Max, and Air-directly from India at launch, a first for the company. Previously, there was a lag of a few months before India-made Pro models reached international markets. Seasonal peaks in exports occur post-Diwali, driven by demand in Western markets around Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year.
Two new factories boost production
The surge in Apple's exports has been supported by the addition of two new facilities in April 2025: Tata Electronics' Hosur plant and Foxconn's Bengaluru unit, bringing the total number of iPhone factories in India to five. Officials told The Economic Times that production and export volumes have been steadily increasing as a result.
Production and export figures
In FY25, Apple produced $22 billion worth of iPhones through its vendors, of which $17.5 billion-or 80%-were exported from India, officials said, citing freight-on-board (FOB) values. Retail market prices are typically 50-60% higher. Production in India has jumped from $2 billion in FY22 to $22 billion in FY25, with further increases expected through March 2026.
Future outlook and potential risks
An industry expert told The Economic Times that while Apple is expected to surpass last year's production and export levels, outcomes will depend on international trade negotiations and potential US semiconductor tariffs under the Section 232 investigation. Currently, US tariffs on imports from India exclude smartphones, computers, and electronics, and the US remains Apple's largest export market.
India's growing smartphone exports
According to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), smartphone exports from India to the US reached $8.43 billion between April and August 2025, compared to $2.88 billion during the same period last year, highlighting India's expanding role as a global manufacturing hub, The Economic Times reported.
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