iPhone 16 Leads India’s Smartphone Exports in H1 2025 as Samsung’s Galaxy A Series Gains Ground

India’s smartphone export industry is witnessing a significant transformation, with Apple and Samsung emerging as the undisputed leaders. According to recent data from Counterpoint Research, Apple’s iPhone 16 dominated the export market in the first half of calendar year (CY) 2025. At the same time, Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy A Series has established itself as a strong contender, capturing a sizable share of export volumes. Together, these two brands accounted for nearly 94 per cent of India’s total smartphone exports, leaving very little room for competitors.

This article explores the dynamics of India’s smartphone export market, focusing on Apple’s export dominance, Samsung’s steady rise, Motorola’s surprising growth, and the changing geography of export destinations.

Apple’s iPhone 16 Becomes India’s Top Exported Smartphone

Apple’s iPhone 16 has secured the crown as the most exported smartphone from India, making up 18 per cent of the total export volume in H1 CY2025. This indicates a strategic shift by Apple, as the company increasingly relies on India not just as a manufacturing hub but also as a key export base for its flagship devices.

Interestingly, Apple’s older models continued to perform well in the export market. The iPhone 15 ranked second, followed by the iPhone 16e, further highlighting the brand’s dominance across multiple segments of the premium smartphone market.

Summary Table

Apple Leads Export Volumes With 60% Share

Apple maintained its dominance by capturing 60 per cent of India’s smartphone export volumes in the first half of 2025. This marks a continuation of Apple’s expanding role in India’s export ecosystem, supported by strong demand from global markets.

The company’s strategy of diversifying its manufacturing away from China and strengthening its Indian production capabilities is beginning to pay off. Apple has been increasingly exporting high-value devices from India, setting the stage for the upcoming iPhone 17 launch in September 2025.

Samsung’s Galaxy A Series Strengthens Export Position

While Apple led the market in absolute numbers, Samsung remained a formidable competitor. Its Galaxy A Series, consisting of four mid-range models, accounted for 25.5 per cent of the total smartphone export volumes from India during the period.

Samsung held a 34 per cent overall share of export volumes, solidifying its position as the second-largest exporter. Notably, more than 60 per cent of Samsung’s shipments were directed toward Western Europe, particularly Austria, Germany, France, and Spain. The brand also saw an impressive 268 per cent year-on-year increase in exports to the United States, albeit from a smaller base.

Motorola Surpasses Chinese Brands to Claim Third Place

A surprise entry in the top ranks was Motorola, which surpassed established Chinese brands such as Xiaomi and Vivo. Motorola achieved a 2.5 per cent share of India’s smartphone export market, shipping over 1 million units in H1 CY2025.

This growth was driven by a sevenfold increase in export volumes, primarily to the United States. Nearly 95 per cent of Motorola’s exports went to the US, where its sales grew by 10 per cent. The brand benefited from the early launch of its G Series in 2024 and the absence of new product launches from rivals like HMD Global.

The United States Becomes the Largest Export Destination

The US emerged as the single largest market for Indian smartphone exports, accounting for 54 per cent of shipments in H1 2025. This represents a dramatic shift from the previous year, when the US accounted for only 24 per cent of exports.

Apple’s strategic decision to direct more than 75 per cent of its Indian exports to the US played a crucial role in this change. On the other hand, Samsung focused heavily on European markets, with Western Europe receiving the majority of its shipments.

Other significant destinations included the United Arab Emirates, which captured an 11 per cent share, and Austria, with 7 per cent. However, Europe’s overall share of Indian smartphone exports declined sharply, falling from 47 per cent in H1 2024 to 27 per cent in H1 2025.

Changing Dynamics of India’s Smartphone Export Market

The trends observed in the first half of 2025 highlight how India has rapidly evolved into a global hub for smartphone manufacturing and exports. Apple’s dominance reflects the growing importance of India in its global supply chain strategy, while Samsung’s performance underscores the strength of its mid-range devices in international markets.

The rise of Motorola further demonstrates that brands beyond the top two can still find opportunities, especially in markets like the US where consumer demand is strong. Meanwhile, Chinese brands that once held a significant share of exports are now lagging behind due to competitive pressures and shifting supply chain priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which smartphone was the most exported from India in H1 2025?

A. The iPhone 16 was the most exported smartphone, contributing 18 per cent of total exports.

Q2. Which brands dominated India’s smartphone exports?

A. Apple led with 60 per cent of exports, followed by Samsung with 34 per cent. Motorola secured third place with 2.5 per cent.

Q3. Which countries are the top destinations for Indian smartphone exports?

A. The United States was the largest market (54 per cent), followed by the UAE (11 per cent) and Austria (7 per cent).

Q4. Why did Motorola’s exports grow significantly?

A. Motorola benefited from the early launch of its G Series in 2024 and the absence of competitive launches from rivals, resulting in a sevenfold rise in exports.

Q5. When will Apple launch its next iPhone model?

A. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 in September 2025.

Official Source

For more detailed insights, visit: Counterpoint Research

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