Archive · 22 Sep 2026
CMF and Optiemus Plan India-Made Smartphones for Global Markets
CMF by Nothing and Optiemus want to do more smartphone work in India.
They previously agreed to manufacture Nothing and CMF products there.
Now they plan to add more research, design and engineering.
This means Indian teams could help create the phones, not just assemble them.
The work may include cameras, software, phone designs and important components.
The companies want the technology created by this work to belong locally.
They also hope to sell phones made and designed in India around the world.
CMF currently sells products in more than 40 countries.
CMF by Nothing and Optiemus are expanding their smartphone manufacturing partnership in India.
The new arrangement aims to combine manufacturing, ownership and research and development under one Indian entity.
Planned work includes industrial design, mechanical, camera, software, connectivity and component engineering.
The companies want products designed and engineered in India, rather than merely assembled there.
CMF says India-made phones could serve global markets, while its Indian volumes grew 83% year on year in 2025.
- Who
- CMF by Nothing and Optiemus, with Nothing CEO Carl Pei commenting on the partnership.
- What
- They are expanding an Indian smartphone manufacturing arrangement to include local ownership, research, development and engineering.
- When
- The plan builds on a manufacturing joint venture announced in September 2025; CMF’s Indian volumes grew 83% year on year in 2025.
- Where
- India, with products intended for global markets.
- Why
- To develop local technology, engineering talent, suppliers and intellectual property, and to move India’s role beyond smartphone manufacturing toward technology development and exports.
- Companies
- CMF by Nothing and Optiemus
- Earlier arrangement
- A manufacturing joint venture announced in September 2025
- Planned capabilities
- Industrial design, mechanical, camera, software, connectivity and component engineering
- Intellectual property
- The companies say intellectual property created through the new research and development setup will be held locally
- Global reach
- CMF currently sells products in more than 40 countries
- India growth
- CMF’s volumes in India grew 83% year on year in 2025, according to Counterpoint Research