Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai. Between January and June 2025, Apple manufactured 2.39 crore iPhones in India — a massive 52% increase from the same period last year. According to research firm Canalys, this accounts for nearly 78% of iPhones sold in the US. Despite criticism from Donald Trump, Apple continues to expand its India manufacturing footprint.
iPhone Exports from India Hit New Highs
CyberMedia Research reports that 2.28 crore iPhones were exported from India in the first half of 2025. Compared to 1.5 crore units during the same period in 2024, this shows a strong 52% growth in exports. In monetary terms, iPhones worth ₹1.94 lakh crore were shipped this year, up from ₹1.26 lakh crore last year.
India Surpasses China in iPhone Exports to US
In April 2025 alone, India exported 33 lakh iPhones to the US, far outpacing China’s 9 lakh units. India’s share of iPhones made and sold in the US rose from 53% last year to 78% this year — indicating a major shift in Apple’s global supply strategy.
Trump Threatens Apple with 25% Tariff
Former US President Donald Trump warned Apple that it would face a 25% import tariff if it continued manufacturing iPhones outside the US. He insisted iPhones sold in America should be made there and criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook for expanding production in India. Trump made these remarks both on his social platform “Truth” and during an event in Doha on May 15.
Why Apple Is Betting Big on India
Apple’s increasing focus on India is driven by several key factors: reducing dependence on China due to geopolitical tensions, benefiting from India's production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, tapping into India’s rapidly growing smartphone market, and lower export tariffs compared to China. Apple now exports 70% of its Indian-made iPhones. Additionally, Foxconn and Tata are training workers and expanding facilities to meet growing demand.
Foxconn Continues Investment Despite US Pressure
Despite Trump’s stance, Apple’s main manufacturing partner Foxconn has recently invested ₹12,700 crore through its Singapore unit into a plant in Tamil Nadu. The company is also working on setting up a ₹23,000+ crore facility in Karnataka, underscoring Apple’s long-term commitment to India.
7 Key Highlights in a Nutshell:
- Apple made 2.39 crore iPhones in India in Jan–June 2025
- Manufacturing rose 52% compared to last year
- India exported 2.28 crore iPhones this year
- April exports to the US from India were 33 lakh units
- Trump threatened a 25% tariff on non-US-made iPhones
- India’s production shift is part of Apple’s China+1 strategy
- Foxconn invested ₹12,700 crore in Tamil Nadu facility
