While Apples export from India have already been in the headlines for reaching an new echelon, Android phone exports have started showcasing similar trends as well. Android phone exports from India to the US are also witnessing strong growth, driven by the Trump Administration policies as well as the Indian government push for exports by Production linked incentive schemes.
As per a recent set of numbers reported by Research Firm Canalys, Motorola, a Lenovo owned brand was able to export close to 1.6 million smartphones that run on the Android Operating System from India in the first five months of 2025 with 99% of those going to the US. Motorola manufactures the phones through Indian contract manufacturer Dixon Technologies, and has historically exported to the US market almost entirely from China, which has since been hit by a 55% US tariff compared with 26% levied on India as per Industry Experts. Smartphones have been temporarily excluded from the reciprocal tariffs as well in the aftermath of the uproar regarding the tariffs.
Korean flagship manufacturer, Samsung and other companies that export smartphones to the US from India, shipped around 954,000 smartphones in the January -May period compared with that of 645,000 during the prior 12 months according to Canalys. The US levies a 46% Tariff of Vietnam, Since Vietnam was the main export hub for Samsung’s American market, the Tariffs are currently on A 90 day pause on Vietnam Negotiates a trade agreement.
While the exports of Android phones from the likes of Samsung and Motorola have increased. Apple is by far the largest exporter of smartphones in general for the US from India.
How PLI Scheme Has been Able to Help The Exports
Smartphone brands are ramping up Exports from India to Africa and the UAE amid the governments push to transform the country into a global manufacturing Hub for Smartphones. The push has been further triggered by that of production linked Incentives. Dixon, Samsung and Apple manufacturing partners Foxconn have received incentives under this scheme.
Smartphone exports from India crossed 35 million in the January -May period, according to Canalys. Apple accounted for 20.5 million of these units 80% of which went to the US. Brands have been able to export about 60 million in 2024, Apple accounted for half of those, Samsung and Motorola were the other Major Exporters.
The data Set from Canalys further detailed that Samsung, which manufactures its devices on its own and through contract Manufacturer Dixon is on track to meet, or even easily exceed its 2024 Export volumes. Having nearly hit the mid way mark By May 2025. The company was able to export close to 25.3 million smartphones in 2024 and by May 2025, and has already exported 11.4 million handsets.
Samsung is ahead of the curve but overtime its growth has become flat as destination markets have shifted due to Tariff uncertainties. Beyond the likes of Samsung, Lenovo and Motorola several other brands like the Infinix, Tecno and iTEL have also ramped up exports. Vivo too has been exporting Small volumes and has already shipped 250,00 handsets till May this year, mainly to Thailand and Malaysia.
Disadvantage For China
A slew of other market trackers have further detailed that the opportunity for Chinese brands to export from India remains much lower compared to Apple and Samsung. He further added that the general margins in Mobile phone manufacturing is around 2-3% in India, But because of export incentives in China the Margins are much higher for the Chinese brands.
