The United States emerged as the largest buyer of Indian smartphones, with exports to the US surging from 2.16 billion in 2022–23 to an extraordinary 10.6 billion in 2024–25.
In a landmark development, India’s smartphone exports have outstripped traditional export staples like petroleum products and diamonds for the first time, according to official data released by the commerce ministry. Smartphone shipments soared by 55 per cent year-on-year to reach $24.14 billion in 2024–25, up from $15.57 billion in 2023–24 and $10.96 billion in 2022–23.
The United States emerged as the largest buyer of Indian smartphones, with exports to the US surging from $2.16 billion in 2022–23 to an extraordinary $10.6 billion in 2024–25. Japan followed closely, marking a fourfold jump in imports from $120 million to $520 million over the same period.
“This rapid ascent has propelled smartphones to become one of India’s top exported goods, overtaking traditional leaders like petroleum products and diamonds for the first time,” a senior commerce ministry official told PTI. “Over the past three years, the sector has undergone a significant transformation, turning India into a key global hub for smartphone manufacturing and exports,” the official added.
This shift comes on the back of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched by the Indian government to catalyse domestic manufacturing. The scheme incentivised top global players such as Apple and Samsung to ramp up production in India, resulting in increased output, employment, and exports.
India’s positioning in global supply chains has also improved significantly. Besides the US and Japan, European nations have emerged as strong trading partners in this space. Exports to the Netherlands grew to $2.2 billion from $1.07 billion; Italy increased to $1.26 billion from $720 million, and the Czech Republic rose to $1.17 billion from $650 million in just three years.
Analysts view the rise in smartphone exports as a critical sign of India’s evolving trade architecture. “This isn’t just about phones. It’s about value-added manufacturing and asserting ourselves in global tech supply chains,” said a former NITI Aayog advisor, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The PLI scheme’s impact continues to resonate across sectors, but smartphones have become its flagship success. With consistent policy support and rising international demand, experts suggest the current momentum could pave the way for India’s next wave of export-led growth.