Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw sets October 2028 target for India's own smartphone brand

India aims to launch its own homegrown smartphone brand featuring domestic design, manufacturing, and intellectual property by October 23, 2028. Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this two-year deadline at the NDTV World Summit on October 23, 2026, stating that the new devices will compete with global giants like Apple and Samsung.

Background

About three and a half years ago, the government challenged local designers to create smartphone hardware. Two companies responded, and one successfully designed and delivered a 5G mobile phone to a major US telecom operator. The government has not yet revealed the name of this Indian firm, the US operator, or the pricing and specifications for the upcoming national brand.

Engineering Challenges

Building a phone goes beyond simple assembly. Engineers must integrate processors, memory, displays, cameras, antennas, and power systems into a compact device while ensuring battery efficiency and reliable connectivity. The project will still rely on some international parts, as the complete supply chain cannot yet be sourced entirely from the local market.

Context

Transitioning from assembly to owning intellectual property and brand identity marks a major step up the global value chain. To succeed against established players like Apple and Samsung, any new Indian brand must offer strong hardware, competitive pricing, solid software support, and a widespread distribution network.