U.S. Market Impact: How Many iPhones Come from India?

India: The Rising iPhone Manufacturing Powerhouse for the U.S. Market

In recent years, India has emerged as a central hub in Apple’s global production network, especially for iPhones. What was once a supply chain dominated almost entirely by China is now seeing a significant transition. As geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China persist, and Apple aims to diversify its manufacturing sources, India’s role has grown rapidly and strategically. Today, a substantial portion of iPhones sold in the United States are either assembled in India or built using components sourced from Indian factories—a major milestone in the global electronics industry.

Why Apple Is Shifting from China to India

Strategic Manufacturing Shift
Apple had long relied on China as its primary manufacturing base. However, since 2017, the tech giant has gradually expanded its operations in India. Key Apple suppliers such as Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron have set up large-scale production facilities across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, laying the groundwork for India’s rise in global electronics manufacturing.

China’s Growing Challenges
Several factors have accelerated Apple’s decision to move operations out of China:

Ongoing U.S.–China trade tensions

• Labor unrest and worker shortages in major Chinese plants
• Severe COVID-19 lockdowns that stalled production cycles
• Increasing costs of manufacturing
• These disruptions made it critical for Apple to build more resilient, multi-country supply chains.
• India’s Competitive Edge

India offers Apple multiple advantages:

• A vast, cost-effective labor force
• Government support, including the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
• Improvements in infrastructure and logistics
• A pro-business environment that's increasingly welcoming to foreign direct investment

Thanks to these factors, India has tripled its iPhone output in just three years, becoming a key contributor to Apple’s global delivery targets.

Supplying iPhones to the U.S. Market

Recent export data shows that iPhones made or assembled in India now make up a large share of devices imported into the U.S. Apple has openly acknowledged that India is no longer just a manufacturing base for the domestic market—it has become a critical link in its global supply and export chain, especially for meeting demand in North America.

Conclusion: India’s Expanding Role in Global Tech
India’s rise as a major manufacturing destination marks a transformative shift in the global technology landscape. No longer just a fallback option, India is now central to Apple’s global strategy, especially in light of growing demand and supply chain risks. With consistent investment from Apple and its suppliers, India is on track to challenge China’s long-standing dominance in high-tech manufacturing. For U.S. consumers, this means that more iPhones than ever are now proudly made in India, reinforcing India’s growing stature in the global tech economy.