India has emerged as the top smartphone exporter to the United States, surpassing its neighbor, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This shift marks a significant change in the global electronics manufacturing landscape, highlighting India's growing capabilities and strategic importance.
Vaishnaw announced that electronics manufacturing in India has reached Rs 12 lakh crore, with electronic production growing six times in the last 11 years. He also noted that exports have increased eightfold to Rs 3 lakh crore. This growth is a testament to the success of the "Make in India" initiative, which has transformed the country into a global manufacturing hub.
The rise in smartphone exports is particularly noteworthy. Data indicates a 60% surge in smartphone exports between April and September 2026, reaching $13.5 billion, a significant increase from $8.5 billion during the same period last year. This surge has propelled India to the position of the leading smartphone supplier to the US.
According to a report from Canalys Research, India-assembled smartphones accounted for 44% of total US smartphone imports in the second quarter of 2025, a substantial increase from 13% in the same quarter last year. In contrast, China's share of smartphone exports to the US fell to 25% from 61%. Vietnam also surpassed China, accounting for 30% of smartphone exports to the US during the same period.
This shift has been largely driven by Apple's strategic manufacturing pivot to India. Amid trade tensions between the US and China, Apple has been diversifying its supply chain and reducing its dependence on Chinese manufacturing. India has become a key export base for Apple's iPhone models, with India-made iPhones worth $22 billion in exports as of April 2025. While premium iPhone Pro models continue to be assembled primarily in China, Apple has begun manufacturing and assembling Pro models of the iPhone 16 series in India.
Other companies like Samsung and Motorola are also exploring shifting some of their production to India, further solidifying India's position as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
India's mobile phone manufacturing industry has seen remarkable growth. The manufacturing value of mobile phones has surged from Rs 18,900 crore in FY14 to Rs 4,22,000 crore in FY24. Mobile phone exports have also crossed the Rs 2,78,000 crore mark, making India the second-largest phone maker globally. The number of mobile manufacturing units in India has increased from just two in 2014 to over 300 today. As of early 2025, approximately 99.2% of mobile phones sold in India are manufactured locally, compared to only 26% in 2014-15.
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, primarily aimed at boosting mobile phone manufacturing, has attracted a total investment of Rs 12,390 crore. This scheme has led to cumulative production of Rs 8,44,752 crore, with exports of Rs 4,65,809 crore, and has generated additional employment of 1,30,330 direct jobs.
