iPhone Exports Drive 30% Surge In India’s Smartphone Shipments In H1 2025

India’s smartphone exports surged 30 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching 40 million units, according to Counterpoint Research.

The sharp growth was fuelled by a rush of iPhone shipments to the United States ahead of Washington’s impending 25 per cent tariff deadline at the end of August.

Apple’s exports rose 53 per cent, crossing the 20-million-unit mark in H1 2025 for the first time. The iPhone 16 led the tally, contributing 18 per cent of total smartphone exports, followed by the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16e.

The United States received more than half of India’s smartphone exports during the six months, underscoring the country’s rising importance as Apple’s primary alternative to China in its global supply chain.

Data from Counterpoint showed the US accounted for 54 per cent of India’s total exports, up from 30 per cent a year ago, with Apple alone contributing over three-fourths of the volume.

The surge was triggered by Apple’s strategy to front-load shipments before new tariffs took effect, protecting profit margins and minimising price escalation.

Samsung and Motorola trail Apple

Samsung’s export performance remained muted, edging up just 1 per cent year-on-year in H1 2025. Europe continued to be Samsung’s largest market, absorbing over 60 per cent of shipments.

However, exports to the US surged 268 per cent on a low base. The Galaxy A series, with its mid-range focus, accounted for three-fourths of Samsung’s total exports.

Motorola emerged as the breakout performer, with exports rising sevenfold to surpass 1 million units. The brand ranked as the third-largest exporter from India after Apple and Samsung.

Nearly 95 per cent of Motorola’s shipments were US-bound, driven by strong demand for its early-launched 2025 G-series. In the US, Motorola’s sales grew 10 per cent year-on-year in H1 2025, benefitting from weaker product refreshes from rivals.

India’s domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem expanded rapidly, with almost 99 per cent of smartphones sold locally now produced within the country.

Manufacturing output has grown from ₹18,900 crore in FY15 to ₹5.45 lakh crore in FY25, while smartphone exports have crossed ₹2 lakh crore.

Europe’s share in India’s H1 2025 exports fell to 27 per cent, down from 47 per cent last year, as Apple prioritised US-bound shipments. Analysts expect Europe to recover as a key market once Apple and Samsung recalibrate their distribution.

Analysts caution that India’s smartphone export momentum could face challenges if policy uncertainty persists. The US has exempted smartphones and electronics from the steep new tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian goods, but the exemption remains temporary.

Experts stress that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must diversify markets, hedge against supply risks, and fully leverage schemes such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) to sustain India’s position as a global export hub.

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