HMD to Launch First Sub-₹10,000 5G Smartphone in India This Festive Season

HMD Global is preparing for a major product launch in India ahead of the festive season with plans to introduce its first 5G smartphone priced under ₹10,000. The move is aimed at strengthening its foothold in the highly competitive budget smartphone segment, catering to value-conscious buyers who want feature-rich devices at an affordable price. Confirming the development, Ravi Kunwar, VP and CEO of HMD India, APAC, Australia, and New Zealand, told Financial Express that the upcoming device will mark the brand’s entry into the sub-₹10,000 category under its own HMD branding.

Kunwar highlighted that the festive season offers an ideal opportunity to connect with consumers not just through products but also through the brand’s identity. The company is also planning a new television campaign featuring actor Sanya Malhotra, who serves as HMD’s smartphone brand ambassador.

HMD has been manufacturing its products in India for a significant period, aligning its operations with the government’s “Make in India” vision. Kunwar noted that nearly all HMD smartphones are produced domestically, supported by schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI). He added that beyond serving the local market, the company has also begun exporting feature phones from India to markets in the Middle East and Africa.

In terms of distribution, HMD enjoys one of the strongest offline networks in the country, with over 1,000 distributors and 100,000 retailers. Kunwar stressed that this offline strength, coupled with partnerships with leading e-commerce players like Amazon and Flipkart, as well as quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, gives the company a wide-reaching omni-channel presence.

With its first affordable 5G smartphone set to launch, HMD aims to expand its consumer base in India by blending affordability, strong local manufacturing, and a robust retail ecosystem.

Source: Financial Express