New Delhi — In a major boost to the government’s ‘Make in India’ and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) initiatives, tech giant Apple has recorded iPhone exports worth around $10 billion (over ?88,500 crore) from India during the April–September period of the current financial year, according to industry estimates.
This marks an impressive 75 per cent year-on-year increase in iPhone exports compared to the same period last fiscal (FY25).
Celebrating the milestone, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Made in Bharat. Trusted globally.”
Industry data indicates that Apple shipped iPhones worth $1.25 billion in September alone, a sharp rise from $490 million in exports during the same month last year.
Driven largely by Apple’s strong performance, India’s total smartphone exports surpassed ?1 lakh crore in the first five months of FY26 — a 55 per cent growth from ?64,500 crore in the corresponding period last year.
The success is attributed to Apple’s deepening manufacturing footprint in India under the PLI scheme, which has encouraged the company to expand production units in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This strategic move has allowed Apple to strengthen its global supply chain while mitigating potential tariff risks.
Notably, 78 per cent of iPhones assembled in India during the first half of 2025 were exported to the US, up from 53 per cent in the same period the previous year — highlighting India’s growing role in Apple’s global export network.
With India, China, and Vietnam emerging as major electronics manufacturing hubs, Apple’s rapid expansion reinforces the country’s status as a key player in the global tech supply chain.
The company is also gearing up for record-breaking festive sales in India this year, with analysts projecting a 28 per cent year-on-year growth in 2025, driven by the strong response to the iPhone 17 series.
Launched on September 9, the iPhone 17 features a 48MP Fusion Main camera, a 48MP Fusion Ultra-Wide camera, a Centre Stage front camera, and a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion. The device is powered by the latest A19 chip, offering improved performance, enhanced battery life, and superior durability with the new Ceramic Shield 2 — reportedly three times more scratch-resistant than its predecessor.
With inputs from IANS