By Rishika Sogani
India’s smartphone export story just got louder and prouder. Between April and September 2025 (the first half of FY26), smartphone exports have surged to an impressive $13.5 billion, marking a 60% jump from $8.5 billion during the same period last year.
Thanks to the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, India is fast becoming a global smartphone hub. What’s remarkable is that even during the typically “lean months” of August and September, when production slows down due to new model launches and machine upgrades, exports continued to shine.
In September alone, India shipped $1.8 billion worth of smartphones, a record 95% increase from last year.
The United States has emerged as the biggest destination, accounting for almost 70% of total exports in the first half of this fiscal, up from just 37% last year. Smartphone exports to the US soared to $9.4 billion, from $3.5 billion a year ago.
Leading the charge is none other than Apple, whose India-assembled iPhones touched $10 billion in exports, making up more than 75% of India’s total smartphone shipments. Apple’s partners – Foxconn (Hon Hai) and Tata Electronics have played a key role in this success, with two new iPhone assembly plants going operational recently.
Experts say this sustained rise shows how deeply global supply chains are now anchored in India. “It reflects global trust in India’s ability to deliver quality and scale,” says Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA.
With exports expected to touch $35 billion by the end of FY26, India isn’t just assembling smartphones anymore it’s assembling a global reputation for reliability, scale, and innovation.