Tata Electronics Surges Past Foxconn in Exported iPhone Value from India; A Deep Dive into the Manufacturing Race

Tata Electronics Surges Past Foxconn in Exported iPhone Value from India; A Deep Dive into the Manufacturing Race​

Tata Electronics has achieved a significant milestone in India's burgeoning smartphone ecosystem. According to a report by Business Standard, the company has surpassed Taiwanese competitor Foxconn concerning the value of iPhones exported from India during the five-year Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme period. This development underscores the accelerating pace of localization within high-value manufacturing.

Tata Overtakes Foxconn in Exported iPhone Value​

The data, which is based on vendor submissions to the government, reveals that iPhones assembled by Tata Electronics and exported during the specified period were valued at $26.3 billion. This figure marginally exceeds the amount achieved by Foxconn, which recorded exports worth $25.6 billion.

This accomplishment places Tata Electronics as a formidable player in the global iPhone supply chain originating from India. The narrowing of this gap highlights the aggressive expansion strategies employed by both manufacturing giants.

Production Landscape: A Two-Player Ecosystem Emerges​

While Tata has taken the lead in exports, the overall production data reveals that Foxconn maintains a slight advantage when considering total output. Between FY22 and FY26, Tata Electronics recorded a total production value of $35.5 billion for iPhones assembled in India.

Foxconn remains the leader in overall production, reporting a value of $38 billion for the same period. The industry is quickly crystallizing into a two-player race, with both companies rapidly scaling their operations within the country.

Domestic Market Dynamics Drive Production Lead​

The difference in total production values is largely attributable to varied strategies regarding domestic sales. iPhones assembled by Foxconn for sale within India accounted for $12.4 billion during this period.

In contrast, Tata Electronics' domestic production value stood at $6.3 billion. This disparity shows that while the export focus has narrowed the gap between rivals, Foxconn’s stronger presence and commitment to the local market have driven its lead in overall volume.

Strategic Expansion of Tech Giants​

The entry points of these companies into the Indian segment are distinct. Foxconn had established itself assembling iPhones in India prior to the introduction of the PLI scheme in 2022.

Tata Electronics entered this critical sector much later, acquiring Wistron's operations in November 2023. The company significantly accelerated its foothold by acquiring a 60% stake in Pegatron India in 2024, fast-tracking its ascent as Foxconn's primary rival.