Beyond Apple iPhones: Android Smartphone Manufacturers Making Waves
Android smartphone exports from India to the United States are witnessing significant growth, driven by the tariff policies of the Trump administration and India’s efforts to enhance its export capabilities. Alongside Apple, which remains the leading exporter, companies like Samsung and Motorola are also ramping up their operations. This surge in exports reflects a strategic shift in the global smartphone supply chain, as manufacturers seek to capitalize on favorable trade conditions.
Surge in Android Smartphone Exports from India to the US
Recent data from market research firm Canalys highlights a remarkable increase in Android smartphone exports from India to the United States. In the first five months of 2025, Motorola, a subsidiary of Lenovo, exported 1.6 million Android smartphones, with an impressive 99% of these shipments directed to the US. This figure represents a notable rise from 1 million units exported in 2024. Experts attribute this growth to Motorola’s partnership with Indian manufacturer Dixon Technologies, which has allowed the company to diversify its supply chain away from China, where tariffs have surged to 55% since April.
In contrast, smartphones exported from India incur a lower tariff of 26%. While these tariffs currently do not apply to smartphones, the future of US trade policy remains uncertain. Additionally, Samsung has also increased its exports, delivering 945,000 units to the US between January and May 2025, up from 645,000 units in the previous year. The company faces a 46% tariff on exports from Vietnam, its primary manufacturing base for the US market, although this tariff is temporarily suspended as Vietnam engages in trade negotiations.
Dixon Technologies’ Managing Director, Atul Lall, announced plans to boost production capacity by 50% to meet the rising demand for Motorola smartphones in North America. This expansion reflects the growing geopolitical landscape and the increasing importance of India as a manufacturing hub for global smartphone brands.
India’s PLI Push Bears Fruit
India’s government has implemented the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to establish the country as a global manufacturing hub. This initiative has encouraged smartphone manufacturers to expand their export operations not only to the US but also to markets in Africa and the UAE. Companies such as Dixon, Samsung, and Apple’s partners Foxconn and Tata Electronics are reaping the benefits of these incentives.
According to Canalys, India’s smartphone exports reached 35 million units from January to May 2025, with Apple contributing a substantial 20.5 million units. Notably, 80% of Apple’s exported devices were sent to the United States. In 2024, total smartphone exports from India amounted to 60 million units, with Apple accounting for half of that volume. Other key players in the export market include Samsung and Motorola, both of which are enhancing their global competitiveness through the PLI scheme.
Industry analysts suggest that manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, Transsion, and HMD Global (the maker of Nokia phones) are increasingly focusing on expanding their export operations from India. Canalys predicts that Samsung’s production, both in-house and through Dixon, is on track to meet or exceed its 2024 export targets, having already shipped nearly half of its goal by May 2025.
Emerging Players in the Export Market
As the Indian smartphone manufacturing landscape evolves, several emerging players are making their mark in the export market. The Transsion group, which includes brands like Infinix, Tecno, and iTel, has ramped up its export activities significantly. In May 2023, Dixon secured a controlling interest in Transsion’s manufacturing operations, further strengthening its position in the market. Lall indicated that Dixon is committed to expanding its exports to African markets, where Transsion holds over 80% market share.
Vivo, a leading Chinese smartphone brand in India, has also begun modest export operations. The company shipped approximately 350,000 devices in 2024, with 250,000 units exported by May 2025, primarily to Thailand and Malaysia. Following a strategic collaboration with Dixon and a move to larger production facilities, Vivo is expected to enhance its export volumes in the coming year.
Overall, the Indian smartphone export sector is poised for continued growth, driven by favorable government policies and the strategic repositioning of manufacturers in response to global trade dynamics.
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