Apple is better positioned than many competitors to weather potential disruptions to India's smartphone exports caused by the Iran war, according to Nikkei Asia. The conflict threatens key Middle East trade hubs like the UAE, which are vital for shipping devices assembled in India to global markets. While Apple has rerouting options, analysts warn that overall Indian smartphone exports could plummet by 22% to 25% in the coming weeks if the crisis escalates.

This stems from India's rapid rise as a manufacturing alternative to China, with exports surging 55% year-over-year to $11 billion in the first half of 2025. The disruption primarily impacts smaller traders reliant on these hubs, whereas large brands like Apple have more flexibility. Demand remains resilient so far, but the volatile export flows are expected to persist as long as Middle East disruptions continue.