Apple and Samsung have significantly boosted India’s mobile phone exports, propelling the electronics sector to become the country’s third-largest export category. This surge in exports is primarily driven by the production and shipment of smartphones, with Apple and Samsung leading the charge.
Major Milestones in Mobile Phone Exports
India’s mobile phone exports are anticipated to surpass ₹1.2 trillion by the end of this financial year, nearly one-third of the total domestic production, which is projected to be around ₹4.1 trillion. The cumulative exports of mobile phones from 2014 to 2024 have reached an estimated ₹3.22 trillion, marking a significant era in India’s export history (mint).
Government Initiatives and Local Manufacturing
The Indian government’s push for local manufacturing has played a crucial role in this growth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative has attracted global giants like Apple and Samsung to set up production units in the country. Over the past decade, several manufacturing units have been established, including those by Foxconn Technology Group, the largest maker of Apple’s iPhones globally (mint).
Market Leadership and Sales Figures
Samsung regained its position as the world’s top smartphone maker in Q1 2024, overtaking Apple. Samsung captured a 20.8% market share, shipping over 60 million devices, while Apple shipped 50.1 million iPhones, experiencing a 10% drop compared to the same period last year. This shift is attributed to the strong sales of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which has been well-received globally (SamMobile) (Fox Business).
Future Prospects
The future of India’s mobile phone manufacturing industry looks promising, with expectations of increased export growth and reduced dependency on imports. The sector’s transition to self-sufficiency is nearly complete, and the focus is now on enhancing competitiveness and large-scale manufacturing to further integrate into global value chains (GVCs) (mint).
As the digital sector and trade continue to grow, electronics manufacturing, led by mobile phone production, is poised to play a critical role in doubling India’s GDP by 2030. This growth trajectory highlights the potential for India to become a pivotal player in the global electronics market, providing a viable alternative to China for manufacturing and supply chain needs (mint).
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