Apple sets record iPhone production in India in H1 2025, exports surge 53%

Apple has set a new benchmark in smartphone manufacturing in India. The company achieved the fastest ever growth in iPhone production as well as exports during the first half of 2025, the government said on Thursday.

“Apple harvests record iPhone output from its India orchard,”, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) posted on social media platform X to celebrate the milestone, highlighting the country's growing role in global tech manufacturing.

iPhone production in India grew 53 per cent year-on-year to 23.9 million units between January and June 2025, according to data from market research firm Canalys. This is Apple's strongest ramp-up since it started assembling smartphones in the country in 2017.

This increase is being seen as a strategy by Apple to reduce its dependence on China, especially in view of the threat of high tariffs being imposed by the US on Chinese goods.

Exports also saw a similar growth, up 53 per cent compared to the same period last year, the report said.

The United States was the biggest destination for iPhones manufactured in India, accounting for 78 per cent of total exports - up from 53 per cent a year ago. Other markets such as the Netherlands, the UAE, the UK and Japan saw a decline in their share in Indian iPhone shipments.

According to the report, Foxconn led the manufacturing sector, contributing more than half of the iPhones exported.

The Tata Group has also emerged as a strong player, now contributing nearly 40 per cent of Apple's iPhone exports from India. Analysts say this reflects improved manufacturing output and Apple's growing confidence in India's capabilities.

“This could be Apple's earliest ever flagship production ramp-up from India,” said Sanyam Chaurasia, Principal Analyst at Canalys Omdia.

He said if India can match China's production timelines, it will be a new chapter in Apple's global supply chain strategy.

This growth is strongly supported by the 'Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme' for electronics, which provides financial incentives to manufacturers to increase local production.

The development is also a big boost to the 'Make in India' initiative, which aims to position the country as a global manufacturing hub.

With the inputs of IANS