Amber Enterprises to Manufacture Oppo, OnePlus, Realme Smartphones in India

Amber Enterprises India is set to commence smartphone manufacturing for major Chinese brands Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme, with production beginning in the March 2027 quarter. This move signifies a strategic pivot by these mobile giants towards an asset-light operating model within India.

Key Production Targets

• Initial output: 8 million units in the first year.
• Projected output: 15-16 million units in the second year.

This shift aligns with broader trends in the Indian market, where Chinese mobile brands are increasingly adopting asset-light manufacturing strategies. Companies like Vivo and Oppo have faced heightened regulatory scrutiny from Indian agencies, prompting a re-evaluation of their operational footprints.

Strategic Moves by Chinese Brands

• Oppo smartphones are currently produced at Vivo’s Noida facility.
• Vivo is in the process of transferring this facility to a joint venture with Dixon Technologies.

Beyond smartphone assembly, Amber is also navigating challenges within its printed circuit board (PCB) business. The company has observed rising copper-clad laminate costs impacting this segment.

Future Plans for Diversification

• Amber plans to establish a copper-clad laminate (CCL) plant.
• This CCL plant is targeted for completion by 2029-30.

Amber Enterprises’ foray into smartphone manufacturing for these prominent brands, alongside its long-term PCB sector plans, positions it strategically within India’s evolving electronics manufacturing landscape. The move by Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme underscores a calculated adaptation to the local regulatory environment and operational efficiencies.