Apple Inc., through its vendors, exported $6 billion worth of iPhones from India in the April–June 2025 quarter, marking an 82 percent jump from the same period last year, Business Standard reported, citing data shared by vendors with the government.
Exports during Q1FY25 stood at just $3.2 billion, making this year’s first quarter not only Apple's best yet, but also India’s highest-ever quarter for smartphone exports.
Smartphone exports hit record $7.72 billion
Thanks largely to Apple, India’s total smartphone exports surged by 58 percent, reaching $7.72 billion in Q1FY26, up from $4.9 billion in the same quarter last year, according to industry estimates reported by Business Standard.
Apple alone accounted for nearly 78 percent of these exports.
Trump tariffs could disrupt the growth streak
While Apple’s performance is a major win for India’s electronics sector, its sustainability is in question.
The US government is currently investigating Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows the President to impose import tariffs on national security grounds. A report is expected by August 14.
PLI scheme fuels India’s export rise
India’s booming smartphone export story has been supercharged by the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched in 2020.
In FY21: smartphone exports were just $3.1 billion
By FY25: they rose to $24.1 billion, with Apple contributing $17.5 billion
Now, in Q1FY26 alone, India has already crossed $7.72 billion, putting the country on track to break new annual records.
Business Standard noted that Apple’s three key vendors are currently in the final year of their PLI scheme, while Samsung completed its term in March 2025.
From 167th to 1st: Smartphones Now Top India’s Exports by HS Code
In FY15, smartphones were ranked 167th in India’s export list. By FY25, they became India’s top export item by Harmonised System (HS) code, thanks to rising foreign investment, manufacturing incentives, and robust global demand.
Electronics exports surge 48 percent, smartphones drive 62 percent
India’s overall electronics exports also saw strong growth, touching $12.4 billion in Q1FY26, up 48 percent from $8.4 billion in Q1FY25.
Smartphones accounted for 62 percent of total electronics exports in the quarter. Last year, their share was 58 percent.
This sharp rise indicates that India’s shift from assembly to value-added electronics manufacturing is well underway.
Who else is exporting?
Besides Apple, Samsung and Padget Electronics (a subsidiary of Dixon Technologies) were among key contributors:
Samsung: 12 percent of total smartphone exports
Padget + others: 10 percent combined
Padget alone exported $175 million worth of smartphones in Q1FY26
What lies ahead?
With over $24 billion in exports in FY25 and an explosive Q1 this fiscal, India has proven its potential to be a global smartphone manufacturing hub.
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