 "Representational image. File Image/Reuters")
India’s share of US smartphone imports skyrocketed to nearly 36 per cent in the first five months of 2025, up from just 11 per cent in 2024. On the other hand, China’s dominance in the sector weakened, with its share falling from 82 per cent to 49 per cent.
Driven primarily by Apple iPhones, India now accounts for one in every three smartphones imported by the US, amid ongoing trade negotiations with Washington.
Despite smartphones being India’s top export to the US by value, US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Indian-made iPhones.
According to the US International Trade Commission (USITC), US imports of Indian-made smartphones soared to 21.3 million units from January to May 2025, a more than threefold increase year-on-year, with a value of $9.35 billion—a 182 per cent rise compared to the $7 billion recorded for all of 2024.
In May, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that most iPhones sold in the US during the April-June quarter were expected to originate from India, where about 20 per cent of Apple’s global iPhone production capacity is now located.
China’s share shrinks
China, meanwhile, saw its smartphone exports to the US drop by 27 per cent year-on-year to 29.4 million units, valued at approximately $10 billion.
Behind China (49 per cent) and India (36 per cent), Vietnam held a 14 per cent share, exporting 8.3 million units.
2020-A turning point
Apple’s shift toward India began in 2020, spurred by the Indian government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has significantly boosted smartphone manufacturing.
Apple, through its contract manufacturers, has been the primary beneficiary, enabling it to diversify production away from China.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsInitially producing older iPhone models in India, Apple now manufactures its entire lineup, including the premium Pro range.
Trump’s pressure
Trump has criticised Apple’s growing reliance on India for US-bound exports.
In a May social media post, he stated , “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Despite this, Apple is pressing ahead with its India expansion, with its contract manufacturer Foxconn announcing a $1.49 billion investment in Yuzhan Technologies (India) Pvt Ltd in May, as reported to the London Stock Exchange. The new facility is slated for Tamil Nadu, where Foxconn already operates a major iPhone production hub.