India has emerged as a major export hub for Apple under India’s smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. According to industry data, the company’s iPhone shipments had exceeded $50 billion by December 2025. With three months still remaining in Apple’s five-year PLI period, this figure is expected to rise further.
Apple iPhone exports, in the first nine months of FY 2026, stood at around $16 billion. This took total shipments during the PLI period past the $50 billion mark.
By comparison, Samsung exported equipment worth about $17 billion during its five-year eligibility period under the scheme from FY2021 to FY2025, said IANS report.
Apple’s manufacturing footprint in the country includes five iPhone assembly plants — three operated by Tata Group entities and two by Foxconn — supported by a supply chain of around 45 companies, including many MSMEs supplying components for domestic and global operations.
Driven largely by iPhone shipments, which contributed about 75 per cent of total smartphone exports, smartphones rose to India’s single largest export category in FY25, up from their rank of 167 among export items in 2015, IANS added.
India became the world’s second-largest mobile phone producer, with more than 99 per cent of phones sold domestically now Made in India. India has moved up the manufacturing value chain.
The smartphone PLI scheme is scheduled to conclude in March 2026, though the government is reportedly exploring ways to extend support.
Under revised rules, companies were allowed to claim incentives for any five consecutive years within a six‑year period, IANS said.
Apple’s suppliers and Samsung were also selected under the electronics component manufacturing scheme, with the latter set to establish a display module sub‑assembly unit, expected to generate employment for about 300 people.
Apple sold about 6.5 million iPhone 16 units in the first 11 months of 2025, making it the country’s highest‑selling smartphone, according to a new report.
The report from Counterpoint Research said that Apple outpaced Android rivals in the same period. The research firm’s data found the gap is striking as the iPhone 15 also made it to the top five best‑selling list.
FAQs
1. Why is India becoming a major export hub for Apple?
India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has encouraged Apple to expand manufacturing locally, supported by multiple assembly plants and a growing domestic supply chain. This has significantly boosted iPhone exports.
2. How do Apple’s exports compare with other smartphone makers under the PLI scheme?
Apple’s iPhone shipments have crossed $50 billion during the PLI period, far surpassing Samsung’s roughly $17 billion in exports over its five-year eligibility window.
3. What impact has smartphone manufacturing had on India’s exports and economy?
Smartphones have become India’s largest export category, with iPhones contributing about 75% of total smartphone exports. The sector has also helped India become the world’s second-largest mobile phone producer and has created jobs across the supply chain.
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