In a historic shift, India has become the largest supplier of smartphones to the United States, overtaking China for the very first time. According to data from research firm Canalys, this milestone was achieved in the June quarter (Q2 2025).
India-assembled smartphones made up 44% of US imports, while China’s share dropped sharply to 25%, down from 61% a year ago.
Apple’s Strategic Shift Drives India’s Export Boom
The dramatic change has been largely fueled by Apple’s aggressive push to shift iPhone production to India. Amid ongoing trade tensions and tariff disputes between the US and China, Apple has actively scaled up its supply chain presence in India.
“India became the leading manufacturing hub for smartphones sold in the US for the very first time in Q2 2025,” said Sanyam Chaurasia, Principal Analyst at Canalys.
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iPhone Exports from India See Major Surge
Apple is playing a central role in this transformation. In 2025, the tech giant began assembling iPhone 16 Pro models in India, although its Chinese plants still handle large-scale shipments of premium devices to the US.
However, the base iPhone models are now being exported in much higher volumes from India, indicating a clear pivot in Apple’s manufacturing strategy.
Trade Tensions Continue to Reshape Global Supply Chains
This shift marks a significant turning point in the global tech supply chain. With uncertainty between US and China still lingering, companies like Apple are actively diversifying manufacturing to reduce dependence on any single country.
India’s rise as a smartphone export hub is not just a short-term trend—it’s a structural shift that may redefine electronics trade in the coming years.
What It Means for India
This development is a major boost for India’s electronics manufacturing sector and supports the government’s push for ‘Make in India’ and export-led growth. It also positions India as a serious alternative to China in the high-tech manufacturing space.
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