India Overtakes China To Become Top Smartphone Exporter To US, Driven By Apple’s Shift

India has overtaken China for the first time to become the top exporter of smartphones to the US in the June 2025 quarter, according to research firm Canalys.

The shift is largely attributed to Apple’s aggressive ramp-up of iPhone production in India amid continuing US-China trade tensions and tariff uncertainties.

The share of smartphones imported into the US that were assembled in China dropped sharply to 25 per cent, down from 61 pet cent a year ago.

India seized most of that share, with shipments of India-made smartphones to the US rising 240 pet cent year-on-year and accounting for 44 per cent of US imports, up from just 13 per cent in Q2 2024.

“India became the leading manufacturing hub for smartphones sold in the US for the very first time in Q2 2025, largely driven by Apple’s accelerated supply chain shift to India amid an uncertain trade landscape between the US and China,” said Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia, noting Apple’s shift was the main driver.

While Apple now exports even some Pro models from India, it still relies heavily on Chinese plants for volume supply. Other brands like Samsung and Motorola have also expanded exports from India, though on a smaller scale.

Apple has remained firm on its plan to shift a substantial part of its manufacturing to India, undeterred by former US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and ongoing trade tensions with China.