India has now overtaken China as the top exporter of smartphones to the U.S.? The change has happened fast. In just one year, India’s share climbed from roughly 13% to about 44%, while China’s share dropped from 61% to 25% (according to the sources we read in preparation for this episode).
In this data-driven episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Renaud walk listeners through the economic drivers and the strategic moves behind this major redistribution of electronics manufacturing.
Episode sections
Here’s a taster of what’s covered:
- 00:00 – India overtakes China in US smartphone shipments: India becomes the U.S.’s top smartphone supplier, a dramatic reversal driven by trade policy and OEM strategy.
- 03:45 – Why smartphone assembly moved to India so quickly: Strong government support, fast-track investment approvals, and labor availability helped accelerate the transition.
- 07:40 – Apple and others had a head start with India SKD kits: Years of semi-knocked down (SKD) kit assembly in India laid the foundation for full device manufacturing.
- 13:46 – Apple pushes its supply chain to South India: Apple is nudging key suppliers to co-locate in India, especially around Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
- 18:17 – Can SMEs benefit from the India shift like Apple? While large brands get the most attention, SMEs can benefit, but need realistic expectations and good support.
- 22:10 – Should you move production to India now? It depends. If you’re overexposed to China, exploring India is wise, but it may not suit all product types yet.
- 25:21 – The Sofeast Group’s expansion into India: Sofeast is now offering services in India to help clients diversify and de-risk their supply chains, including product assembly.
For every topic covered, listen to the episode to hear them in full!
Further reading
- India overtakes China in smartphone exports to the U.S. as manufacturing jumps 240%, report shows – CNBC
- Apple’s supply chain makeover just gave India a massive win over China – Business Insider
- Big iPhone exports doth not ring a win – The Economic Times
- How India beat China to become the biggest smartphone manufacturer for the U.S. – The Times of India
- India Becomes Leading Source of Smartphone Shipments to the US in Q2 2025 – India Briefing
