India Surpasses China as Top Smartphone Exporter to the US in Q2 2025
In a major shift in global trade dynamics, India has overtaken China as the largest exporter of smartphones to the United States during the second quarter of 2025, according to a report by Canalys.
India accounted for a staggering 44% of US smartphone imports, a significant leap from just 13% during the same period last year. Meanwhile, China’s share dropped sharply from 61% to 25%, signaling a dramatic transformation in supply chain strategies.
🍏 Apple’s “China Plus One” Strategy Fuels India’s Rise
Apple has played a pivotal role in India’s surge. The tech giant has been ramping up production in India as part of its “China Plus One” strategy, aimed at reducing reliance on Chinese factories.
Thanks to increased iPhone manufacturing in India, including the iPhone 16 Pro, Indian exports to the US rose 240% year-over-year. While some premium Apple models are still made in China, the shift is clearly underway.
“India is becoming a key player in global smartphone manufacturing,” Canalys stated.
🌏 Vietnam Also Gains Ground
Vietnam also increased its export share to the US, reaching 30% in Q2 2025, up from 24% a year earlier. This growth was largely driven by Samsung’s expanded production in the country.
However, other regions and brands struggled to make a significant impact, with no other country or company surpassing 3% US market share during the quarter.
📊 US Smartphone Market Overview – Q2 2025
Despite the global shifts in supply chains, overall smartphone shipments in the US remained flat, with 27.1 million units shipped — a modest 1% year-over-year growth.
🔍 Vendor Performance Highlights:
| Vendor | Shipments (Million) | Market Share | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 13.3 | 49% | -11% |
| Samsung | 8.3 | 31% | +38% |
| Motorola | 3.2 | 12% | +2% |
| 0.8 | 3% | +13% | |
| TCL | 0.7 | 3% | -23% |
| Others | 0.7 | 3% | -34% |
⚠️ Trade Tensions and Tariff Uncertainty
The report notes that companies, especially Apple, frontloaded shipments in anticipation of possible US tariffs on imported electronics. Concerns over future trade policies have led many manufacturers to diversify production locations, particularly toward India.
🌐 What This Means for the Global Supply Chain
India’s rapid rise underscores a growing trend of supply chain diversification. However, experts caution that sustained growth will require continued investment, infrastructure development, and stable trade policies.
While current growth is impressive, it’s largely driven by inventory adjustments and short-term strategies. The real test will be whether India can maintain this momentum in the coming years.
📌 Final Thoughts
India’s emergence as the top smartphone exporter to the US reflects a major realignment in global manufacturing. As tech giants shift operations away from China, India and Vietnam are poised to become dominant players in the mobile supply chain — reshaping the future of smartphone production and global trade.
