In a striking shift in global supply chains, India has overtaken China as the leading exporter of smartphones to the United States, according to recent data released by research firm Canalys. The change underscores a broader strategic realignment in global electronics manufacturing, driven largely by trade tensions and evolving corporate strategies.

India’s Share Surges 

Smartphones assembled in India accounted for 44 per cent of U.S. imports in the second quarter of 2025, marking a sharp rise from 13 per cent in the same period last year. The total volume of smartphones exported from India to the U.S. surged by a staggering 240 per cent year-on-year, signalling the country’s growing role in the global tech supply chain.

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By contrast, China’s dominance in the sector has diminished significantly. Its share of smartphone exports to the U.S. dropped to 25 per cent in the second quarter, down from 61 per cent during the same period in 2024. Even Vietnam, another growing hub for electronics manufacturing, surpassed China with a 30 per cent share of exports to the American market.

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Apple Leads the Shift

According to Canalys Principal Analyst Sanyam Chaurasia, the surge in India’s exports was largely fuelled by Apple’s decision to accelerate its production footprint in the country. This marks the first time India has shipped more smartphones to the U.S. than China. Apple is reportedly fast-tracking plans to produce a substantial portion of its iPhones in India, to manufacture around 25 per cent of its global iPhone output in the country over the next few years. This strategic pivot comes amid heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and China, prompting Apple to reduce its reliance on Chinese factories.