Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 24: India’s smartphone exports recorded a sharp 39% rise in August 2025, reaching $1.53 billion compared to $1.09 billion in the same month last year, according to fresh data released by the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA). The growth counters recent claims of a sectoral slowdown, with ICEA emphasizing robust performance—particularly in the US market.

Exports to the United States more than doubled, rising by 148% to $965 million in August 2025, up from $388 million in August 2024. Over the first five months of FY26 (April–August), US-bound exports hit $8.43 billion, marking a 193% increase from $2.88 billion in the same period last fiscal. This figure is already nearing 80% of the total US smartphone exports recorded in the entire FY25.

Overall, India’s smartphone exports for April to August 2025 reached a record Rs 1 lac crore, or approximately $11.7 billion, reflecting a 55% year-on-year growth from $7.6 billion last year.

ICEA chairman Pankaj Mohindroo pushed back against media reports suggesting declining exports, criticizing them as based on narrow, short-term comparisons. “Oversimplification of trade data — and worse, inferences based on monthly comparisons — is misleading and avoidable,” he said, urging analysts to consider sector-specific dynamics.

The association explained that August and early September are typically lean months due to preparation for new smartphone launches ahead of the festive season and factory retrofitting. Additionally, a surge in domestic demand around festivals like Diwali often shifts production focus away from exports, which then rebound toward the end of the year to meet Western holiday season demand.

ICEA reaffirmed that smartphones continue to lead India’s export story. Since the introduction of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, smartphones have climbed from being India’s 167th-ranked export in FY15 to its top export category by FY25.