India emerges stronger in Apple’s supply chain as iPhone exports soar in October

The strong sales of iPhone 16 and 15 models, combined with the early success of the iPhone 17 series, contributed to this surge.
| Photo Credit: EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/Reuters

The growth in Apple’s iPhone exports from India in October further solidifies the nation’s role as a pivotal manufacturing hub for the tech company.

In October 2025, India exported 3.44 million iPhone units, reflecting a 40 percent increase month-on-month from September, and a 20 percent rise year-on-year compared to October 2024, according to data from technology market analysts Omdia.

The United States accounted for the largest share, comprising 61 percent of iPhone exports from India, as Foxconn and Tata enhance their manufacturing capabilities to cater to the US market. The UAE, with approximately 704,000 units, continues to be a growing market ahead of holiday shopping seasons.

Analysis indicated a significant uptick in the export of iPhones to Russia in October compared to prior months.

iPhone 17 Boost

While the iPhone 16 and 15 models maintained the majority share among all exported iPhone variants, the positive reception to the newly launched iPhone 17, along with pre-holiday demand in the US and other Western markets, significantly boosted exports, according to Sanyam Chaurasia, Principal Analyst at Omdia. “Apple’s surge in October reinforces India’s role as a key player in its global iPhone shipments for Q4,” he stated.

The initial sales of the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro Max models have exceeded those of their predecessors by a considerable margin, positioning them to be standout models in the upcoming months.

Analysts highlight that the increasing iPhone exports from India indicate the country’s strategic advancement in Apple’s global supply chain amid trade tensions. Chaurasia previously mentioned to businessline that India’s leading EMS players, notably Foxconn and the Tata Group, are scaling up iPhone production and exports. Moreover, an expanding ecosystem of associated iPhone components, such as display modules, is contributing to a comprehensive Apple smartphone supply chain within India.

Smartphone Export Surge

Overall, India’s smartphone exports reached 6.63 million units, showcasing a 26 percent month-on-month increase, attributed to the pre-holiday season, as per Omdia data. Year-on-year, this reflects a 14 percent growth. Apple and Samsung together accounted for about 88 percent of total exports.

In October 2025, India exported around 2.84 million Samsung smartphones, marking a strong 30 percent year-on-year growth. “Samsung’s export flow is predominantly focused on Europe, with Austria, Germany, and Spain as core markets. Samsung’s production operations in India are gaining momentum, evidenced by robust YoY growth and steady MoM progress,” Chaurasia noted.

Published on November 21, 2025