India has approved a new manufacturing joint venture between Vivo and Dixon Technologies, opening another chapter in the country's fast-growing smartphone production ecosystem. The move follows Apple's earlier role in turning India into a major global assembly base and shows how the sector is widening beyond a single brand-led story.
The cleared structure, first outlined in late 2024, allows the venture to take over select Vivo manufacturing assets and produce part of the company's smartphone output in India. It may also support production for other electronics brands, adding flexibility to the local supply chain and expanding the country's manufacturing capacity.
The new company will be owned 51% by Dixon and 49% by Vivo, a setup that reflects a broader trend: international smartphone makers are increasingly building through local partnerships in India. For the industry, this model offers a practical balance between global scale and domestic participation.
India's electronics manufacturing push has already gained momentum through Apple's supplier network and government incentives designed to strengthen local production. Today, the country is not only a major assembly center but also an increasingly important export base for smartphones.
According to Counterpoint Research data shared with TechCrunch, Apple now accounts for 57% of India's smartphone exports by volume. Chinese brands, meanwhile, continue to lead domestic sales, but their export contribution remains limited, leaving significant room for growth if more production shifts to India.
For Dixon, the partnership could add an estimated 20 million to 22 million smartphones in annualized manufacturing volume, based on Vivo's current sales. That scale would further reinforce Dixon's role as one of India's most important electronics manufacturing partners.
As more brands align with local manufacturing ecosystems, India is positioning itself as a deeper node in the global smartphone value chain. This shift may shape a more distributed and resilient electronics future.