India has officially overtaken China in smartphone exports by value in 2025, becoming the world’s second-largest smartphone exporter after Vietnam. Exports from India have reached $56 billion, up 22% year-on-year, driven by Apple, Samsung, and local brands.
Apple’s contract manufacturers like Foxconn and Tata Electronics have expanded assembly units in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, benefiting from the PLI scheme for electronics. Meanwhile, homegrown brands like Lava and Micromax are making a comeback, focusing on budget and government-use devices.
The government plans to extend its “Make in India, Sell to the World” initiative by building dedicated electronics export parks and fast-tracking component manufacturing.
India’s rise reflects a global strategy shift among manufacturers looking to diversify away from China. Experts believe this moment could signal India’s emergence as a long-term global tech hardware hub.