Apple leads mobile phone category as India’s electronics exports jump 21.8%

Apple has emerged as top brand in mobile phone exports from India. Alongside or mobile phone manufacturers, iPhone vendors led country’s electronics exports, which grew by 21.8 per cent from April through August in current financial year to reach $13.57 billion in worth. According to latest data from Department of Commerce and Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), iPhone exports covered a significant portion of overall mobile phone exports, which accounted for 55.7 per cent of total electronics exports.

iPhone production in India is carried out mostly in sourn states through three major Apple suppliers: Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata, which recently took over Wistron’s facilities. ir collective output of iPhone units represented 67 per cent, equal to about $5 billion, of total mobile phone exports in first five months of FY25. In broer electronics category, iPhone exports contributed 37 per cent during same period, per a report.

Apple currently manufactures all major iPhone models in India, including iPhone 16. company is also reportedly planning to begin production of high-end iPhone 16 Pro devices in India later this year. production capacities of Apple’s suppliers have increased significantly since company first began manufacturing iPhone devices locally. data has shown that Apple’s iPhone exports from India, worth $5 billion, accounted for 22 per cent of total electronics exports in financial year 2022-23. exports doubled to $10 billion next financial year, with an increased share of 35 per cent of total export of electronic goods.

According to government data, Apple is one of biggest beneficiaries of production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, under which government offers support to mobile phone companies for local manufacturing. Apple began India production with iPhone SE models but swiftly moved to assembling high-end devices at partner production lines, located mostly in Tamil Nu and Karnataka. iPhone 16 Pro will likely be next major device to be manufactured, even though lack of delayed shipping dates in Apple Store has indicated a slow demand for model that will be key for company’s AI capabilities, Apple Intelligence.