India’s smartphone exports in August 2025 saw a remarkable 39% year-on-year jump, according to the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA). Export figures rose from $1.09 billion in August 2024 to $1.53 billion in the same period this year. The ICEA firmly countered recent claims of a sector decline, emphasizing that drawing inferences based solely on month-to-month data lacks appropriate context. ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo criticized the practice of oversimplifying trade data and warned against misleading conclusions not grounded in sector-specific expertise. He pointed out that factors such as new product launches, plant retrofitting, and increased domestic demand during the festive season make August and September traditionally slower export months, so year-on-year analysis offers a more accurate picture of growth .
Exports to U.S. More Than Double; India Overtakes China
Exports to the United States more than doubled, rising 148% from $388 million in August 2024 to $965 million in August 2025, and this was a major contributor to overall growth. This increase comes after research firm Canalys noted that India overtook China as the leading supplier of mobile phones to the United States, marking a major milestone. In the April-June 2025 quarter, the proportion of smartphones made in India in total U.S. imports increased considerably from 13% to 44%, while China’s share fell from 61% to just 25%. India’s rise as a major global smartphone manufacturing hub is supported by this change.
PLI and Make in India Schemes Accelerate Export Growth:
Schemes such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) and Make in India have been instrumental in the sector’s robust growth, driving investment in local manufacturing capabilities. ICEA noted that smartphones have become India’s best-performing export category over the last five years, now ranking as the nation’s largest export by HS code in FY25. The cumulative export value for smartphones in the first five months of FY26 reached Rs 1 lakh crore (around $11.7 billion)—a 55% surge from $7.6 billion compared to the same period in FY25. These policy incentives are credited for reshaping India’s role in the global electronics supply chain and expanding its footprint in advanced manufacturing.
India’s Rise as a Global Smartphone Manufacturing Hub:
India’s exponential growth in smartphone exports reflects its emergence as a world leader in electronics manufacturing. Over the past decade, the number of mobile manufacturing units in India has increased from just two to 300, and exports have jumped 127 times, reaching ₹2 lakh crore in 2024-25. During FY25-26, India is projected to surpass its previous year’s export figures, continuing the robust trend driven by visionary government policies such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. India now accounts for nearly 4-5% of global electronics exports and is recognized as the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer. The transformation from a large importer to a global hub underscores the country’s expanding production capabilities, skilled workforce, and strategic role in the international supply chain.
Industry Urges Data Context as Exports Hit New Record:
While celebrating record performance, ICEA urged policymakers and analysts to consider sector nuances before drawing conclusions. The group highlighted that data comparisons should reflect broader industry cycles, especially around product launches and festive demand. The emphasis on long-term growth over short-term fluctuations is a call for a more informed discussion on industry performance. By maintaining these gains and expanding on favorable policy support, India’s smartphone sector is expected to remain a global export powerhouse in the foreseeable future .
