India’s iPhone Exports Surpass $50 Billion Milestone in Five Years
India has achieved a significant milestone in its electronics manufacturing sector, exporting over $50 billion worth of iPhones within a five-year span. This remarkable growth is attributed to a combination of favorable local tax incentives and Apple’s strategic efforts to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs.
By April 2025, India was responsible for producing 20% of all iPhones globally. In response to U.S. tariffs imposed during that period, Apple redirected 97% of its Indian-manufactured iPhones to the American market. This shift underscores India’s growing prominence in Apple’s global supply chain.
The substantial export figures are closely linked to Apple’s participation in India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) program, initiated in 2021. The PLI program, spanning five years and aligned with India’s financial calendar (April 1 to March 31), began benefiting Apple in the financial year 2022. As of the first nine months of the financial year 2026, Apple has already exported nearly $16 billion worth of iPhones, pushing the cumulative exports past the $50 billion mark within the PLI period.
Samsung, another major player in the smartphone industry, has also reaped benefits from the PLI program. Between the financial years 2021 and 2025, Samsung exported almost $17 billion worth of smartphones from India, highlighting the country’s growing appeal as a manufacturing hub for global tech giants.
Apple’s manufacturing journey in India began around 2017, primarily focusing on catering to the domestic market to comply with local manufacturing regulations. However, recent years have seen a strategic pivot towards exporting, driven by both global trade dynamics and India’s supportive policies.
Indian Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, lauded this achievement as a major milestone. He credited the government’s Make in India initiative, noting that electronics production has increased sixfold over the past 11 years. Vaishnaw emphasized that electronics exports have grown eightfold under the current administration, underscoring the success of policies aimed at transforming India into a global manufacturing powerhouse.
The PLI program has been instrumental in attracting foreign investment and boosting local manufacturing. By offering financial incentives based on incremental sales of goods produced domestically, the program has encouraged companies like Apple and Samsung to expand their manufacturing operations in India. This not only enhances India’s position in the global supply chain but also contributes to job creation and economic growth within the country.
Apple’s decision to ramp up production in India is also influenced by the need to diversify its manufacturing base and reduce dependency on China. The imposition of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports has prompted Apple to explore alternative manufacturing locations. India’s favorable policies, coupled with its growing infrastructure and skilled workforce, make it an attractive destination for such diversification efforts.
The impact of this shift is evident in the numbers. In 2025, Apple doubled the number of iPhones imported to the U.S. from India, a move aimed at mitigating the financial impact of tariffs. This strategic realignment not only benefits Apple but also positions India as a critical player in the global electronics manufacturing landscape.
Looking ahead, India’s role in global smartphone manufacturing is poised to expand further. Analysts predict that by 2025, India could be producing 18% of all iPhones worldwide. This growth trajectory is supported by ongoing investments in infrastructure, favorable government policies, and a burgeoning domestic market that offers both manufacturing capabilities and a growing consumer base.
In conclusion, India’s achievement of exporting over $50 billion worth of iPhones in five years is a testament to the country’s evolving manufacturing capabilities and strategic importance in the global supply chain. Through initiatives like the PLI program and the Make in India campaign, the nation is well on its way to becoming a leading hub for electronics manufacturing, offering a compelling alternative to traditional manufacturing powerhouses.
