India Overtakes China in US Smartphone Exports, Says Minister
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday that India has surpassed its neighbour in smartphone exports to the United States, marking a significant achievement for the country’s manufacturing ambitions.
Key Takeaways
- India surpasses China in US smartphone exports
- Mobile phone exports surge 60% to $13.5 billion in H1 FY26
- Apple’s iPhone 17 launch drives 95% shipment growth in September
- Major brands now manufacture 20% of their products in India
“This year, India has surpassed its neighbour in exporting smartphones to the United States. This is a huge achievement for our country. Some of the biggest companies, about 20 per cent of their manufacturing is now happening in India,” Vaishnaw stated during a press conference.
Record Export Growth
India’s mobile phone exports jumped by 60% in the first half of the current fiscal year, reaching $13.5 billion between April and September FY26 compared to $8.5 billion during the same period in FY25.
The launch of Apple’s iPhone 17 in September triggered a massive 95% increase in shipments, generating $1.8 billion in exports according to India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) data.
“This confirms that India’s mobile phone manufacturing sector continues to build scale, efficiency, and reliability — three pillars of sustained global competitiveness,” the industry body noted. Most exports were directed to the US, UAE, Austria, Netherlands, and the UK.
Manufacturing Landscape
While Apple leads the export charge, India also ships smartphones from brands like and Motorola. In contrast, Chinese companies including Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi continue to focus primarily on the domestic market with minimal export activity.
Policy Impact
A PIB social media post citing research firm Canalys confirmed in August that India had overtaken China in smartphone exports to the US. The achievement underscores the success of government initiatives like and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
“As a result of schemes like Make in India and PLI, India is now moving at a new pace in those industrial sectors in which it was never even considered a key manufacturer before,” the post stated.
