India Overtakes China In iPhone Exports To US With 76% Surge In April

India exported nearly 3 million iPhone to the US in April, marking a 76% year-on-year surge, according to a report by market research firm Omdia.

This significant jump positions India ahead of China, which saw its iPhone exports to the US fall sharply by 76%, totalling just 900,000 units.

India Outpaces China In iPhone Supply For US Market

For the first time, India has consistently outperformed China in supplying iPhones to the American market.

CNBC, citing Omdia’s data, reported that this shift reflects Apple’s strategic realignment amid rising global trade tensions.

“Apple has been preparing for this kind of trade disruption for years,” said Le Xuan Chiew, research manager at Omdia.

“The April spike likely reflects strategic stockpiling ahead of tariff hikes,” he added.

Currently, the demand for iPhones in the US stands at approximately 20 million units per quarter.

High Costs Hinder US-Based iPhone Manufacturing

Despite political pressure from the US, producing iPhones domestically remains economically unviable.

A fully US-made iPhone could cost as much as $3,500 (over ₹2,98,000), primarily due to the lack of a fully integrated supply chain in the country.

Dan Ives, global head of technology research at Wedbush Securities, told CNN that domestic iPhone production in the US is a ‘fictional tale’.

Replicating Apple’s complex Asian supply chain stateside would result in steep costs and logistical challenges.

Massive Investment Needed To Shift Supply Chain To US

Market analysts estimate that Apple would need at least three years and $30 billion to shift even 10% of its supply chain to the US.

This makes India a more practical and cost-effective alternative for the tech giant’s manufacturing base.

Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed during the company’s latest earnings call that ‘the majority’ of iPhones shipped to the US for the June quarter will be made in India.

This underscores the country’s growing importance in Apple’s global operations.

India’s ‘Make in India’ Push Gains Momentum

Informed sources revealed that Apple has reassured the Indian government of its commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

With its competitive labour costs and improving infrastructure, India has emerged as a vital hub for global tech manufacturing.

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