India's smartphone exports surged 23.4% to $9.8 billion in the June quarter, marking the highest-ever first-quarter performance for the segment, according to Business-Today. The sector accounted for nearly two-thirds of the country's total electronic shipments of about $15.2 billion during April-June.
Record Quarterly Performance
The $9.8 billion figure represents the strongest first-quarter smartphone export value ever recorded by India. The robust growth was primarily fueled by Apple shifting production of iPhone units to India for the US market. Business-Today reported that US remained the dominant destination, absorbing 71% of India's smartphone export value during April-May.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 smartphone exports | $9.8 billion | Business-Today |
| Year-on-year growth | 23.4% | Business-Today |
| Total electronics exports (Q1) | $15.2 billion | Business-Today |
| US share of exports (Apr-May) | 71% | Business-Today |
US Dominance and Apple's Role
The overwhelming share of exports heading to the US underscores India's emergence as a key global manufacturing hub for Apple. The company has been progressively moving iPhone production from China to India for the American market. This strategy directly contributed to the record quarterly export figure, Business-Today reported.
Industry estimates cited in the article suggest smartphone exports could touch $35 billion in FY27, up from $29 billion in FY26, reinforcing the upward trajectory.
Industry Outlook and Challenges
While the Q1 performance is impressive, Prabhu Ram, Vice President at CyberMedia Research (CMR), cautioned that sustaining the momentum through the rest of the year may become more challenging. According to Business-Today, he cited several headwinds:
- Slowing global demand for smartphones
- Rising component costs
- The absence of Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone from Indian production
Despite these concerns, the underlying trend remains positive. The shift of iPhone assembly to India continues to bolster the country's electronics export profile. Industry analysts noted that if the current pace holds, India is well-positioned to achieve the FY27 export target.
| Forecast | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FY26 smartphone exports (estimated) | $29 billion | Business-Today (industry estimates) |
| FY27 smartphone exports (projected) | $35 billion | Business-Today (industry estimates) |
Implications for Trade Professionals
For import/export professionals and trade policy analysts, the data from Business-Today highlights India's growing role in the global smartphone supply chain. The heavy reliance on the US market — 71% of export value — underscores both opportunity and concentration risk. Customs brokers and logistics providers may see increased volumes in the India-US trade lane for electronics. Trade policy analysts should monitor potential tariff-related developments or trade agreements that could further boost this corridor.
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