Chinese Firm Infinix Looks To Manufacture Laptops In India

Chinese smartphone maker Infinix is weighing local manufacturing of laptops in India within a year for which it has been in talks with original design manufacturers.

The brand, which forayed into selling laptops in India in 2021, holds a 7-8% share on the ecommerce platform Flipkart. Currently, it imports all the laptops sold in the country, Mint reported.

“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,” Anish Kapoor, chief executive officer at Infinix India, told Mint.

Infinix is looking at a time frame of less than a year to begin production within the country to comply with the policy changes that will come into effect on laptop imports from next year.

As of November 1 this year, the government introduced an import management system allowing unrestricted import of IT hardware products like laptops, tablets, personal computers, servers, and ultra-small form factor devices for one year. 

After November 1, 2024, imports will gradually be restricted each year, determined by factors such as the previous year’s import amounts, local production, and quantities exported from India.

The Indian government has given the nod to 110 applications, including those from major hardware players like Dell, Apple, HP, Lenovo, IBM, Asus, Samsung, Xiaomi, Cisco Commerce India, Siemens, and Bosch, seeking authorisation to import laptops, computers, and other IT hardware products.

Earlier, the union government rescinded plans to impose a licensing regime on import of IT hardware products, including laptops and computers. Rather than opting for licensing mandates, the Centre then announced that authorities would regulate inbound shipments of such products through an ‘import management system,’ which came into effect on November 1.

The new import management system will enable the companies to bring shipments into the country through mere authorisation by detailing quantity and value. 

While the import restrictions will be imposed till 2030 and reviewed thereafter, the year-long period aims to give companies that do not make the products in India, an adequate time frame to create local manufacturing capacities.

Infinix is set to join overseas brands like HP and Dell in either enhancing their manufacturing capabilities or partnering with electronics manufacturing service (EMS) providers for local production.

India continues to heavily rely on foreign imports for computers and laptops, with a consistent influx of such products into the country. According to a Canalys report, vendors delivered over 3.9 Mn desktops, notebooks, and tablets to India from April to June 2023, reflecting a 15% year-on-year decline.

Infinix may benefit from the six-year PLI scheme for IT hardware products, which includes laptops. With an outlay of INR 17,000 Cr, the scheme aims to attract investments and generate direct employment for 75,000 people, expecting incremental production worth INR 3.35 Tn. Dixon Technologies’ subsidiary Padget Electronics and Optiemus Electronics are among the 32 approved applicants under the scheme.

Meanwhile, the brand, which is part of the Transsion Group reported significant growth in Q3 2023. According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Infinix secured a position among the top 10 global smartphone brands by shipments. Infinix’s substantial year-on-year increase in units, reaching 4.2 Mn units showcased a growth of 74.8% compared to the same quarter last year. 

It operates in more than 70 global markets and is known for innovative technologies like the Ultra HD (4K/60FPS) front camera in the ZERO 30 5G and the GT 10 Pro, renowned for its cyberpunk style and high-quality gaming performance.

Infinix Mobility, founded in 2013,  designs, manufactures and markets smart devices globally under the Infinix brand.