Samsung Tops India’s Smartphone Assembly Over Apple in 2024

India is slowly becoming a key manufacturing spot for global companies. Both Apple and Samsung now make a lot of their phones in India. Samsung has a huge factory in Noida, not far from the country’s capital. Apple is also putting a lot of faith in its factories here. With new tariffs on the horizon, many believe India will keep growing as a safe bet for big tech brands.

Samsung assembled more phones than Apple in India last year

But which one between them made the most phones in India last year, Apple or Samsung? Turns out, it was Samsung, according to a report. Samsung assembled more phones in India than Apple, with the country accounting for 25% of Samsung’s global production, compared to Apple’s 15%. Besides India, Samsung also makes a large number of phones in Vietnam, which contributes about 55% to its global output.

Apple, on the other hand, still relies heavily on China for manufacturing most of its iPhones. However, with ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and trade rules, there’s growing pressure to diversify. Both Samsung and Apple could be hit with tariffs on imports to the US. Since Vietnam faces higher tariff rates than India, both companies are expected to lean more on their Indian factories for exports.

On top of that, government support through initiatives like Make in India and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme gives companies extra reason to keep investing in Indian manufacturing. It’s a win-win situation, actually. That means companies cut costs and risks, while India strengthens its position.

Samsung holds around 17% of the smartphone market share in India, according to the latest quarterly report from Counterpoint Research. Compared to the previous quarter, Samsung gained 2% in market share. However, it still ranks second in the Indian market, which continues to be dominated by Vivo and its sub-brand iQOO.