Smartphones Dominate India’s Exports as Country Eyes Global Manufacturing Hub Status

The smartphones contributed largely to the total exports of the country in 2025. Over $30 billion worth of domestically produced smartphones were exported to other countries in that year. This was posted by Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Wednesday, saying, "India is now becoming the world’s smartphone manufacturing hub."

According to official data, the country's smartphone exports reached $30 billion during January-December 2025. Meanwhile, during the financial year 2024-25, smartphones worth approximately $60 billion (₹5.5 lakh crore) were produced, while exports were $22 billion (₹2 lakh crore).

Total electronics exports from the country crossed $44 billion (₹4 lakh crore) in 2025. Exports are expected to increase further after four semiconductor plants begin production this year. Neil Shah, co-founder and vice president of research at Counterpoint Research, a market research firm, said, "Apple has given the country a new global identity by expanding manufacturing in India following the imposition of US tariffs on China. India is projected to produce 300 million smartphones in 2025, with one in every four smartphones exported. Strong demand for Apple, Samsung, and Motorola in the US market, with its high average selling price (ASP), has driven export values ​​to record levels."

According to the International Data Corporation's (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report, Apple shipped 5 million iPhones to the domestic market in the third quarter of 2025, the highest level in any quarter. According to the report, Apple leads both the premium (smartphones priced between Rs 53,000-71,000) and super-premium segments (those priced above Rs 71,000). This drove the growth of India's smartphone market during the September quarter.