Apple Inc has achieved a major milestone in its India manufacturing journey, exporting iPhones worth a record $2 billion in November, underlining the country’s growing role in the global smartphone supply chain. The figure accounts for nearly 75 per cent of India’s total smartphone exports, which stood at $2.7 billion during the month.
The strong export performance reflects Apple’s accelerated shift of manufacturing operations to India as the company looks to diversify its supply base beyond China. iPhones assembled by Apple’s contract manufacturers Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics were shipped primarily to key global markets including the United States, Europe, and West Asia.
Industry experts attribute the surge to a combination of factors, including higher production volumes ahead of the festive season, improved manufacturing efficiency, and policy support under the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The initiative has played a crucial role in attracting global electronics giants and strengthening India’s export-oriented manufacturing ecosystem.
Apple’s growing export footprint has also significantly boosted India’s overall smartphone shipments overseas. The country has emerged as one of the fastest-growing smartphone manufacturing hubs, with exports witnessing double-digit growth over the past year. iPhones now form the backbone of India’s high-value electronics exports, helping narrow the trade deficit in the sector.
The milestone further reinforces Apple’s long-term commitment to India, both as a manufacturing base and a strategic market. With new models increasingly being assembled locally soon after their global launch, India is rapidly transitioning from a low-cost assembly centre to a key node in Apple’s global supply chain.
Going forward, analysts expect Apple’s iPhone exports from India to maintain strong momentum, supported by capacity expansion, rising localisation, and sustained global demand positioning India as a critical player in the global electronics manufacturing landscape.
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