India’s Mobile Phone Exports Surge By 50% With iPhone Production At The Forefront

India’s mobile phone exports have reached new heights, increasing by approximately 50% to Rs 1.5 lakh crore during the April-January period of the current fiscal year.

This growth has been largely driven by the rise in iPhone production. The current export value compares favorably to Rs 1 lakh crore in the same period last year, marking a significant leap in the sector.

Apple’s iPhone exports alone have surged to around Rs 1 lakh crore in the April-January period, a remarkable increase from Rs 60,000 crore the previous year.

This growth reflects Apple’s strategic shift to make India a key manufacturing hub. The company’s Indian facilities now operate alongside its Chinese production operations, significantly boosting India’s export figures.

Samsung Maintains A Notable Presence

Samsung, a key rival to Apple, has also contributed to India’s mobile phone export boom. Though its presence is smaller than Apple’s, Samsung’s exports reached Rs 34,500 crore in the current fiscal year, maintaining a solid market share.

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Domestic manufacturers and other merchant exporters make up the remaining portion of India’s growing mobile phone exports.

Growth Drivers: PLI Scheme And Strong Manufacturing Infrastructure

According to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), India’s manufacturing infrastructure has played a crucial role in this export surge.

The country’s robust manufacturing capacity is expected to drive total mobile phone exports to Rs 1.8 lakh crore by the end of the fiscal year, surpassing last year’s Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, introduced to boost domestic manufacturing and exports, has been instrumental in this growth. It has not only enhanced export figures but has also significantly reduced imports.

As a result, domestic production now satisfies nearly 99% of local demand, with projections indicating that manufacturing will reach Rs 5.1 lakh crore in the near future.

Key Manufacturers Driving The Growth

Several key iPhone contract manufacturers have contributed to India’s growing mobile phone export numbers. Tata Electronics’ facility in Karnataka, which was previously operated by Wistron, now accounts for 22% of production.

Pegatron’s Tamil Nadu operations, partially owned by Tata Electronics, contribute another 12%. Samsung’s operations, on the other hand, maintain a 20% share of smartphone exports.

A Decade Of Transformation

India’s mobile phone export sector has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Smartphones have moved from being India’s 67th-largest export to the second-largest export category.

Since the introduction of the PLI scheme in April 2020, the sector has experienced consistent growth, with exports showing no signs of slowing down.

India’s mobile phone export boom highlights the country’s increasing role as a global manufacturing hub, particularly in the smartphone sector.

With continued growth expected, India is positioning itself to remain a key player in the global electronics market.