India has officially overtaken China to become the top exporter of smartphones to the US, according to Canalys. This shift is largely driven by Apple’s ‘China Plus One’ strategy, which is diversifying its production and boosting ‘Make in India’ manufacturing.

In 2025 alone, over 1.5 million iPhones (600 tonnes) were shipped directly from India to the US via cargo planes. The latest iPhone 16 Pro is already being assembled in India, solidifying the country’s position in Apple’s global supply chain. While large-scale production still involves China, India is fast catching up.

This milestone strengthens the Make in India campaign, backed by government incentives and strong partnerships. Companies like Samsung and Motorola are also beginning to shift US-bound manufacturing to India.

The urgency grew after a 26% tariff on Indian goods was briefly imposed by former US President Donald Trump, pushing brands to act fast.

Experts believe India’s rise as a smartphone export hub is only the beginning. With geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs in China, India is rapidly becoming a preferred tech manufacturing powerhouse.