Infinix, a prominent Chinese smartphone manufacturer, is considering the local manufacturing of laptops in India within a year. The company has been in discussions with original design manufacturers (ODMs) regarding this initiative. In 2021, Infinix ventured into the Indian laptop market and currently holds a 7-8% share on the e-commerce platform Flipkart. However, all laptops sold by Infinix in India are currently imported.
Anish Kapoor, CEO at Infinix India, stated, “We’re evaluating going into production of laptops in India, and the other things we can do here. We’re talking to players for local production but the challenge is the ecosystem, which is essential.”
Infinix aims to commence local laptop production within a year to align with the upcoming policy changes affecting laptop imports. Starting from November 1, 2024, the Indian government plans to gradually restrict imports of IT hardware products like laptops, tablets, personal computers, servers, and ultra-small form factor devices. This move is part of the government’s efforts to boost local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
Under the new import management system introduced by the government, companies are required to seek authorization for imports, detailing the quantity and value of the products. This system aims to provide companies that do not manufacture products in India with sufficient time to establish local manufacturing capabilities. The government has already approved 110 applications, including those from major hardware players like Dell, Apple, HP, Lenovo, and others, seeking authorization to import IT hardware products.
Infinix is poised to join other overseas brands like HP and Dell in either expanding their manufacturing capabilities or partnering with electronics manufacturing service (EMS) providers for local production. The company may also benefit from the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware products, including laptops, which aims to attract investments and generate employment in the sector.
In addition to its potential expansion into laptop manufacturing, Infinix has reported significant growth in its smartphone business. According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Infinix secured a position among the top 10 global smartphone brands by shipments in Q3 2023, reflecting a 74.8% year-on-year increase in units shipped.
Infinix, a part of the Transsion Group, operates in over 70 global markets and is known for its innovative technologies. The company designs, manufactures, and markets smart devices under the Infinix brand, with a focus on delivering high-quality products to its global customer base.