Apple’s iPhone Exports from India Surge to $6 Billion, Cementing Country as Key Manufacturing Hub

Apple has reported a significant boost in its iPhone exports from India, reaching nearly $6 billion in the six months leading up to September 2024. This 30% increase compared to the same period last year highlights Apple’s strategic move to diversify its manufacturing away from China and position India as a major production base.

The growth is attributed to Apple’s key suppliers—Foxconn Technology Group, Pegatron Corp., and Tata Electronics—whose assembly operations in India are crucial. Foxconn’s Chennai facility stands out, accounting for roughly half of Apple’s iPhone exports from the country. Tata Electronics, after acquiring a factory from Wistron Corp., has also made significant contributions, exporting approximately $1.7 billion in iPhones from its Karnataka plant during the April-September period, according to Bloomberg sources.

This surge has redefined India’s export profile, with smartphones now leading the country’s exports to the United States. Smartphone exports reached $2.88 billion in the first five months of the fiscal year, a dramatic leap from just $5.2 million five years ago, underscoring Apple’s impact on India’s manufacturing sector.

In fiscal year 2024, Apple assembled iPhones worth $14 billion in India, doubling the previous year’s output. The company has leveraged local incentives, skilled labor, and advanced technology to strengthen India’s role in its global supply chain.

India’s production now includes high-end models such as the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, and Apple may soon expand to manufacturing AirPods in the country as well. Meanwhile, Apple has also enhanced its retail footprint in India, opening flagship stores in Mumbai and Delhi, with new outlets planned in Bangalore and Pune, signaling a long-term commitment to the Indian market.