Smartphone maker OnePlus on Wednesday said it has partnered with Optiemus Electronics (OEL) to begin local manufacturing of its premium internet of things (IoT) devices in India, expanding its domestic production beyond smartphones.
Under the agreement with Optiemus, production has commenced at the contract manufacturer’s facility in Noida, starting with the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 neckband.
Key IoT products covered under this initiative include wireless audio devices such as true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds and neckbands, segments that continue to see demand from Indian consumers looking for mid- to premium-range offerings.
This partnership builds on OnePlus’ existing presence in India’s manufacturing ecosystem, where it already assembles its smartphone range locally. The decision to extend this to its IoT portfolio marks a strategic step toward increasing bill-of-material (BOM) level localisation, reducing costs, and strengthening supply chain resilience, the smartphone maker said.
Robin Liu, chief executive, OnePlus India, said the company’s approach to manufacturing goes beyond cost optimisation. “Our partnership with OEL to manufacture IoT products locally reflects our strong commitment to Project Starlight,” he said. “It’s about empowering local communities and bringing smarter, more connected experiences to our India community.”
OnePlus’ Project Starlight initiative was announced in December 2024, and is aimed at deepening localisation across its value chain in India.
OnePlus has announced a Rs 6, 000-crore investment over the next three years – Rs 2, 000 crore annually—to strengthen its presence in India under Project Starlight. This three-phase initiative is aimed at addressing the unique needs of Indian consumers by focusing on durability, service excellence, and localised innovation. The investment builds on OnePlus’ earlier Rs 1, 000-crore allocation to its Hyderabad R&D centre in 2019.
“This partnership empowers us to manufacture high-quality IoT products,” Ashok Gupta, executive chairman, Optiemus Group, said. “Together, we will explore new frontiers and shape the future of electronics manufacturing in India,” he added stressing that the collaboration reflects OEL’s ambitions in India’s electronics sector.
OEL, which runs two electronics manufacturing units in Noida, will serve as a dedicated manufacturing partner. The company brings experience in end-to-end electronics production, including supply chain management and refurbishment, and counts both Indian and global brands among its clients.
The collaboration is also expected to support government goals around electronics self-reliance by increasing local value addition. While specifics of investment or production volumes have not been disclosed, the move reinforces the broader trend of global tech firms shifting more of their supply chains to India.