NEW DELHI: Smartphone exports rose 23.4% to $9.8 billion during the June quarter, with the segment accounting for nearly two-thirds of electronic shipments of about $15.2 billion during April-June.This was the highest-ever first-quarter smartphone exports by value and was driven by strong iPhone shipments to the US, reinforcing the country’s emergence as a key global manufacturing hub for Apple.However, industry executives and analysts cautioned that sustaining the momentum through the rest of the year may become more challenging amid slowing global demand, rising component costs and the absence of Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone from Indian production.

The US remained the dominant destination, accounting for 71% of India’s smartphone export value during April-May, as Apple continued shifting production for the American market to India. Industry estimates suggest smartphone exports could touch $35 billion in FY27, up from $29 billion in FY26, according to industry estimates.Prabhu Ram, VP at CyberMedia Research (CMR), said India’s smartphone exports continue to benefit from Apple’s manufacturing shift but warned that sustaining growth would depend on global demand.