Samsung, the Korean electronics giant, has announced its plans to start manufacturing laptops in India this year. The move is part of Samsung’s efforts to expand its manufacturing presence in the country and cater to the growing demand for laptops in the Indian market. The company already produces feature phones, smartphones, wearables, and tablets at its factory in Noida. With the addition of laptop manufacturing, Samsung aims to further strengthen its manufacturing base in India.
India holds significant importance for Samsung as it is the company’s second-largest manufacturing base globally. The Indian government’s supportive policies and initiatives, such as the “Make in India” program, have played a crucial role in attracting investments from companies like Samsung. The company has received support at various levels from the state and central governments, which has further encouraged its expansion in the country.
While Samsung is committed to manufacturing laptops in India, the company acknowledges the need for some optimizations at its facilities to align with global demand. The Noida plant, which is the second-largest base for Samsung, may undergo changes to optimise production as per market requirements. However, the plant’s importance as a manufacturing base for Samsung remains unchanged.
In August 2023, the government introduced restrictions on the import of laptops, tablets, servers, and other items. This move aimed to align with the production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for consumer electronics and attract manufacturers to set up production facilities in India. The revamped PLI scheme for IT hardware, introduced in May 2023, has further incentivized manufacturers to invest in India.
According to projections by global market research firms, the laptop market is expected to witness a growth of around 5% in 2024, bringing it back to 2022 levels. Samsung aims to leverage this market growth by introducing new features like Galaxy AI, which will create new use cases among smartphone users and fuel demand for laptops.
RTM Watch’s Take
Samsung’s decision to manufacture laptops in India is a strategic move that aligns with the country’s growing demand for such devices. The company’s existing manufacturing base in India, supported by favourable government policies, positions it well to capitalise on the momentum. The “Make in India” program and recent PLI schemes have evidently attracted global giants like Samsung to deepen their roots in the Indian market. The commitment to optimise facilities in line with global demand underscores Samsung’s adaptability. With projections indicating a resurgence in the laptop market, Samsung’s introduction of innovative features like Galaxy AI seems timely, signalling a promising venture that not only aligns with market trends but also showcases the brand’s dedication to the evolving needs of consumers in India.
