iPhone exports powered 30 percent surge in India’s smartphone shipment during the first half of 2025

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India’s smartphone exports surged 30 percent on-year during the first half of calendar year 2025 to touch 40 million units, powered by a rush of iPhone shipment to the US ahead of the impending 25 percent tariff deadline at the end of August, with Apple’s exports rising 53 percent to cross the 20-million mark in H1CY25 for the first time.

The US alone received more than half of India’s smartphone exports during the period, underscoring the country’s growing role as Apple’s key manufacturing alternative and supply hub outside China.

According to Counterpoint Research’s Make in India Service, the US accounted for 54 percent of total smartphone exports out of India in H1CY25, sharply higher than 30 percent growth a year ago, with Apple alone contributing over three-fourths of the volume.

The surge followed US government's Q1 2025 tariff announcement, which prompted Apple to accelerate shipment to the US, to safeguard margins and mitigate any price escalation.

iPhones dominated the export tally led by the iPhone 16, which alone contributed 18 percent of India’s total smartphone export, followed by iPhone 15 and iPhone 16e. Expanded manufacturing in India, supported by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and scaled-up local facilities supported this growth spurt.

Samsung’s exports on the other hand inched up just one percent on year during H1CY25, with Europe remaining its largest destination. Over 60 percent of the shipment went to Western Europe, though exports to the US surged 268 percent on a low base. The Galaxy A series made up three-fourths of total exports, reinforcing Samsung’s mid-range focus.

Motorola emerged as the breakout performer with exports growing seven-fold to over 1 million units, making it the third-largest exporter from India after Apple and Samsung. Nearly 95 percent of Motorola’s shipment were US-bound, boosted by the early launch of its 2025 G-series lineup. In US, Motorola’s sales grew 10 percent on year during H1CY25, helped by weaker refresh cycles from rivals.

Europe’s share in India’s H1CY25 exports fell to 27 percent from 47 percent a year ago, as Apple prioritized US-bound shipment. Analysts, however, expect Europe to rebound as a key market, given Apple and Samsung’s deep-rooted manufacturing from India for that region.

India’s domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem expanded at scale, with nearly 99 percent of all smartphones sold in the country now made locally, with output rising from Rs 18,900 crore in FY15 to Rs 5.45 lakh crore in FY25, and exports crossing Rs 2 lakh crore.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint analysts warn that policy uncertainty could weigh on the next phase of growth for smartphone shipment.

While smartphones and electronics are currently exempt from the steep new US tariffs - set to go as high as 50 percent on Indian goods - the current exemption is temporary. OEMs will need to diversify markets, hedge supply risks, and leverage government-backed schemes like PLI to sustain India’s position as a global export hub.