India's smartphone exports hit record $7.72 billion, Apple leads with $6 billion

In a remarkable display of growth, Apple has significantly boosted India's smartphone export figures, achieving $6 billion in shipments during the April-June 2025 period. This represents an astounding 82% increase compared to the same quarter last year, according to reports citing data shared with the government. This impressive performance not only marks Apple's best quarter in India but also sets a record for the highest quarterly smartphone exports for the nation. Last year, Apple’s shipments amounted to $3.2 billion, showcasing a dramatic leap in their market presence. Overall, India's smartphone exports surged by 58% year-on-year, reaching a total of $7.72 billion in Q1FY26, up from $4.9 billion in the same quarter the previous year. Apple was the clear leader, accounting for nearly 78% of the total shipments, while Samsung contributed 12%. Other players, including Padget Electronics, a subsidiary of Dixon Technologies, made up the final 10%, with Padget alone exporting $175 million worth of devices. The remarkable growth in exports can be attributed to the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, introduced in 2020. This scheme has been instrumental in propelling smartphone exports from a mere $3.1 billion in FY21 to a staggering $24.1 billion in FY25, with Apple contributing a significant $17.5 billion of that total. With Q1FY26 already at $7.72 billion, India is poised for yet another record-breaking year. Apple's three primary vendors are currently in the final stages of their PLI program, while Samsung completed its term in March 2025. Notably, smartphones have transformed from ranking 167th in India's export list in FY15 to becoming the leading export category by FY25, a shift driven by increased foreign investment, supportive policy incentives, and a growing global demand. In addition to smartphones, overall electronics exports surged by 48% year-on-year in Q1FY26, totaling $12.4 billion, with smartphones representing 62% of that figure, up from 58% the previous year. However, the future growth could face challenges due to potential US import tariffs, as the US government is currently evaluating Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which has implications for national security and could affect trade. With a record $24 billion in smartphone exports for FY25 and a strong start to FY26, India is quickly establishing itself as a key global hub for smartphone manufacturing.