Between January and April 2025, Apple exported 11.5 million iPhones from India to the United States, signaling a major strategic pivot from its long reliance on China.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- 11.5 million iPhones exported from India to the U.S. between January–April 2025.
- 3 million units shipped in April alone: up 76% year-over-year.
- Phone exports from China to the U.S. dropped 76% in the same period.
- India now playing a central role in Apple’s supply chain.
- Apple diversifying manufacturing due to trade tensions and tariffs.
India’s Role in Apple’s Global Strategy
According to a Canalys report (via CNBC), iPhone exports from India to the U.S. hit a record 3 million units in April, a 76% jump compared to the same month last year. This followed a busy March, where Apple shipped 4.4 million units from India.
In contrast, iPhone exports from China to the U.S. dropped to just 900,000 units in that same period, a 76% year-over-year decline.
Why This Shift Matters
Apple’s shift toward India isn’t new. It started exploring Indian manufacturing more seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year, that strategy has become essential due to rising U.S.–China trade tensions.
Le Xuan Chiew, research manager at Omdia, told CNBC:
“This latest trade war with China is the type of disturbance Apple has long been preparing for.”
Apple Had it Figured, Till President Trump Decided Otherwise
Apple’s move to diversify production to India from China, especially amidst the trade-war has been paying out pretty nicely, but Trump has other plans.
President Trump has recently been hinting… well rather threatening Apple with a 25% tariff on all iPhones being sold in the U.S. that are not made at home. The U.S. President has made no secret about wanting Apple to stop moving more production to India. Whether this blows away and Trump is only irked with Tim Cook over skipping a high profile Middle East visit, is something time will tell.
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