The pace at which India’s mobile phone industry has evolved over the past few years is writing a new chapter on the global stage. The country has not only enhanced its production capacity but has also pushed mobile exports to record levels. Reports indicate that India has now become the world’s second-largest mobile phone producer, while smartphone exports have witnessed a remarkable 200% surge to the US. This spike is not just a game of numbers; it is a direct signal of India’s manufacturing prowess, policy support, and the growing confidence of global tech giants.
The question is: Can India maintain this momentum and emerge as the definitive new global hub for mobile manufacturing?
What’s Happening?
A record acceleration is being witnessed in India’s smartphone exports. According to official data, exports increased by $5.7 billion during April–November 2025, making smartphones the fastest-growing export sector in the country. This is a category that ranked 167th on the export list in 2015 and is now becoming India’s global identity.
Smartphone exports, which stood at $9.07 billion in April–November FY24, surged to $18.8 billion in FY26. This jump is primarily driven by the US, where demand for Indian smartphones recorded a 200% increase, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total exports.
Beyond the US, demand for Indian smartphones has risen sharply in several other nations. Exports to the UAE jumped by 62%, while shipments to China skyrocketed by 565% to reach new heights. India’s expansion in Europe continues as well, with growth of 10% in Portugal and 8% in Spain. Additionally, India has established its new-age export presence by stepping into emerging markets such as Slovakia, Israel, Latvia, Vietnam, and South Korea.
Record Leap in India’s Smartphone Exports
2025 proved to be a historic year for India’s smartphone exports. This year saw exports worth $30 billion, which accounts for approximately 38% of the total smartphone exports over the last five years. According to industry data, total exports between 2021 and 2025 reached nearly $79.03 billion, with 2025 being the largest annual contributor to date.
Apple iPhone played the most significant role in this rapid growth, contributing nearly 75% of the total smartphone exports and adding over $22 billion. The export figure for 2025 is 47% higher than the previous year’s $20.45 billion, reflecting India’s strengthening manufacturing capabilities.
The New Flight of Electronics Production in India
India’s electronics production reached approximately Rs 11.3 lakh crore in 2024–25, a clear sign of the country’s rapidly growing manufacturing capacity. Carrying this momentum forward, iPhone exports crossed Rs 2 lakh crore for the first time in 2025, a massive increase of nearly 85% compared to 2024.
Furthermore, Apple has established a robust manufacturing base in the country with five iPhone assembly units, three operated by the Tata Group and two by Foxconn. This expansion is having a direct impact on both production and exports.
Additionally, the Mobile Phone PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme has provided consistent support to the industry through 2025–26.
What Does This Mean for Investors?
The sharp jump in India’s smartphone and electronics exports is a clear signal to stock market investors that the country is securing a permanent spot in the global manufacturing chain. Reaching $30 billion in smartphone exports in 2025, with iPhone alone contributing over Rs 2 lakh crore, demonstrates that premium device manufacturing has become India’s new strength. This trend increases opportunities for companies involved in components, EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services), supply-chain, and electronics infrastructure.
For investors, this is an opportunity to identify stocks that are direct stakeholders in India’s new export growth story, where there is significant scope for strong, structural returns in the coming years.
What’s Next?
India is poised to become a global hub for mobile and electronics manufacturing in the years to over. The ICEA (Indian Cellular and Electronics Association) estimates that in the current financial year, mobile production will reach $75 billion and exports will exceed $30 billion. This is the transformation that has made India the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer after China, where over 99% of phones are now made within the country.
With electronics exports crossing Rs 4 trillion and the pace of semiconductor manufacturing picking up, India is entering a high-value role in the global supply chain. While the smartphone PLI scheme is set to conclude in 2026, the government is considering extending it, which would allow companies to take incentives for any five consecutive years out of six.
*The companies mentioned in the article are for information purposes only. This is not investment advice.
*Disclaimer: Teji Mandi Disclaimer
