Electronics Manufacturing Growth Calculator
Current Production Estimates (2024)
China: 3.2 billion units
India: 0.35 billion units
China Growth Rate: 1.8%
India Growth Rate: 18.5%
Tipping Point: India overtakes China when production exceeds 3.2 billion units
When you buy a smartphone, laptop, or TV, chances are it was made in China. For over two decades, China has been the world’s biggest producer of electronics, handling nearly 70% of global manufacturing output. But that’s changing. While China still dominates, India is now the fastest-growing electronics manufacturing hub on the planet. If you’re wondering which country leads today, the answer isn’t just about factory size-it’s about supply chains, policies, and who’s building what, where.
China Still Builds Most Electronics-But Why?
China’s lead isn’t accidental. It’s the result of decades of investment in infrastructure, skilled labor, and supply chain density. In 2024, China produced over 3.2 billion units of consumer electronics-more than the next five countries combined. That includes everything from iPhones and AirPods to washing machines and smart TVs.
What makes China so hard to beat? It’s the ecosystem. If you need a circuit board, you can get it delivered in hours from a supplier just 30 minutes away. If you need 10,000 microchips or 500,000 plastic casings, China has the factories ready to scale overnight. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Sony don’t just make products in China-they’ve built entire support networks there. Thousands of small suppliers, logistics hubs, and testing labs all operate in close proximity.
China also has the workforce. Over 12 million people work directly in electronics manufacturing there. Many have been trained since childhood to assemble components with precision. Factories run 24/7, and overtime is common. For mass production at low cost, nothing else comes close.
India Is the New Frontier in Electronics Manufacturing
While China holds the top spot, India is the only country growing fast enough to challenge it. In 2023, India produced over 350 million mobile phones-up from just 20 million in 2014. That’s a 1,650% increase in less than a decade. By 2025, India is expected to make over half of all smartphones sold in South Asia.
The push started with government programs like Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, which offered companies up to 6% cashback on sales of electronics made locally. Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi all responded. Today, nearly every major smartphone brand assembles at least some of its devices in India.
Factories in Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu), Noida (Uttar Pradesh), and Bengaluru are now turning out iPhones, Redmi phones, and Samsung Galaxy models. Even Apple’s biggest supplier, Foxconn, has over 10 plants in India. These aren’t just final assembly lines-they’re starting to make circuit boards, batteries, and even camera modules locally.
What’s Different About India’s Approach?
India isn’t trying to copy China. It’s building something different. While China focuses on volume, India is focusing on resilience. The goal isn’t just to make more phones-it’s to make them without depending on imports.
For example, in 2024, India imported just 18% of its smartphone components, down from 62% in 2020. That’s because local companies like Dixon Technologies and Uflex are now producing printed circuit boards, lithium batteries, and plastic housings. Even the glass for phone screens is being made in Gujarat now.
Another advantage? Labor cost. A factory worker in India earns about $250 a month, compared to $500-$700 in China. That gap is growing as wages rise in China and India keeps its costs low. Plus, India’s population is young and growing. By 2030, over 60% of its workforce will be under 35.
There’s also political momentum. With trade tensions between the U.S. and China, companies are looking for alternatives. India is positioned as a safe, democratic, English-speaking partner. That’s why companies like Dell, HP, and LG are now making laptops and TVs in India-not just phones.
China’s Weaknesses Are Becoming More Visible
China’s dominance isn’t unshakable. Rising wages, aging workers, and environmental regulations are pushing costs up. In 2024, labor costs in Guangdong province rose by 9.5% year-over-year. Factories are automating faster, but that requires big upfront investments.
Geopolitical risks are another problem. U.S. sanctions, tariffs, and export controls on semiconductors have forced companies to rethink their reliance on China. Some are moving parts of their supply chain to Vietnam, Thailand, and India to avoid being caught in trade wars.
Even China’s own companies are shifting. Huawei, once a global leader in smartphones, now makes over 80% of its phones in China-but only for the domestic market. For global sales, it’s partnering with Indian and Southeast Asian factories.
Who’s Winning Right Now? A Quick Comparison
| Country | Annual Output (in billions of units) | Key Products Made | Annual Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 3.2 | Smartphones, laptops, TVs, components | 1.8% |
| India | 0.35 | Smartphones, tablets, power banks, TVs | 18.5% |
| Vietnam | 0.28 | Smartphones, headphones, wearables | 12.1% |
| Mexico | 0.21 | Laptops, TVs, automotive electronics | 5.3% |
| South Korea | 0.19 | Memory chips, displays, semiconductors | 2.4% |
China still produces more than all others combined. But look at the growth rates. India’s 18.5% growth is over 10 times faster than China’s. If this pace continues, India could overtake Vietnam by 2027 and become the second-largest electronics producer by 2030.
What’s Next for Electronics Manufacturing?
The future won’t be about one country dominating. It’ll be about a network of countries working together. China will still make the high-end chips and complex components. India will handle mass-market smartphones and home electronics. Vietnam will take over wearables and audio gear. Mexico will serve North America with laptops and automotive electronics.
For businesses, the message is clear: diversify. Relying on one country is risky. For consumers, it means better prices and more choices. For India, it’s a chance to become a global manufacturing power-not just a market.
Right now, China is still the largest manufacturer of electronics. But if you’re watching where the money, policy, and factories are moving, the real story isn’t who’s on top-it’s who’s climbing fastest. And that’s India.
Is India really making electronics, or just assembling them?
India started by assembling phones using imported parts. But today, it’s making more than just boxes. Local companies now produce circuit boards, lithium batteries, camera modules, and even plastic housings. Over 80% of smartphone components used in India are now made locally, up from under 20% in 2020. The goal is full vertical integration-not just assembly.
Why isn’t China losing its lead faster?
China’s supply chain is still unmatched. It has thousands of specialized suppliers, deep engineering talent, and decades of experience. Moving complex production like semiconductor testing or high-precision machining isn’t easy. Even companies moving to India still rely on China for critical components like chips and displays. China isn’t falling-it’s just not growing as fast anymore.
Can India become the next China in electronics?
India won’t become a carbon copy of China. It doesn’t need to. Instead, it’s becoming the most cost-effective, scalable, and politically safe alternative for global brands. By 2030, India could produce over 1 billion units of electronics annually-mostly smartphones, TVs, and home gadgets. That’s enough to make it the world’s second-largest producer, if not the first in specific categories.
What types of electronics are made in India?
India makes smartphones (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi), smart TVs (LG, Sony), power banks, laptops (Dell, HP), air conditioners, washing machines, and even medical devices. The PLI scheme now covers 14 product categories, including drones, wearables, and solar inverters. The focus is on high-volume, high-demand items that can be scaled quickly.
How does India’s workforce compare to China’s?
China has more experienced workers, especially in precision assembly. But India has a younger, faster-growing population. The average factory worker in India is 26 years old; in China, it’s 38. India also has a growing number of engineering graduates-over 1.5 million per year. The skill gap is closing fast, especially with government training programs.
Final Thought: The Real Winner Is the Consumer
When countries compete in manufacturing, the real winners are the people who buy the products. More production in India means lower prices, faster delivery, and more local jobs. It also means fewer supply chain shocks. If a storm hits Shanghai, factories in Tamil Nadu can still keep making phones. That’s not just good for business-it’s good for stability.
China built the foundation. India is building the future. And right now, that future looks very bright.
