US smartphone shipments rose 30% in March due to tariff concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Smartphone shipments to the United States jumped 30 percent in March as manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, and Motorola raced to bring more devices into the country ahead of potential import tariffs, according to a report by Counterpoint Research released this week.
Apple, in particular, airlifted a record $2 billion worth of iPhones from India in March, relying on Indian suppliers Foxconn and Tata Electronics to meet the spike in demand, Reuters previously reported.
The surge underscores manufacturers' efforts to preemptively stockpile devices and mitigate the impact of tariffs that could erode profit margins or suppress demand if prices rise. It also highlights a broader strategic shift to diversify supply chains away from China amid geopolitical tensions, with India and Vietnam emerging as key alternative production hubs.
Apple's production in India surged in March, and the tech giant now expects most of its smartphones sold in the U.S. to come from India in the June quarter. This move follows President Donald Trump's announcement of a series of tariffs on April 2, prompting companies to reevaluate their supply chains.
Although the U.S. temporarily suspended the tariffs on smartphones and other electronic devices for 90 days, manufacturers remain cautious. "The increase in shipments in March and early April will help insulate Apple from potential immediate pricing impacts in the U.S. through mid-to-late summer," said Gerrit Schneemann, a senior research analyst.
Schneemann added that if the tariff dispute with China remains unresolved by the time the iPhone 17 launches, India is likely to become the primary supplier of U.S.-bound devices.
Apple's sales to distributors and retailers rose 42 percent in March, while Samsung's shipments increased by 4 percent. Lenovo-owned Motorola nearly tripled its exports from India, contributing to India's share of U.S. smartphone imports rising to 26 percent in the first quarter, up from 16 percent a year ago.
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