French technology company Alcatel has officially confirmed its re-entry into the Indian market. This follows Madhav Sheth’s announcement that the company is preparing to launch a new smartphone lineup in the country, with a strong emphasis on local manufacturing and technology-driven innovation.
Alcatel, which operates under TCL Communications through a licensing agreement with Nokia, will reintroduce its brand with a diverse range of smartphones, including premium models and stylus-equipped devices. It is worth noting that the exact lineup, specifications, and other details have yet to be revealed.
“I am thrilled to announce the launch of ‘Alcatel’ smartphones in India. I will be working closely with the Nxtcell team to spearhead technology transfer, foster patent-driven innovation, and ensure that local manufacturing aligns with India’s vision for tech self-reliance. We have successfully signed technology agreements and our local manufacturing initiatives are poised to significantly boost India’s tech ecosystem and enhance exports,” said Madhav Sheth in a post on X.
Four Alcatel smartphones: the Idol 4, U5 HD, 3X, and OneTouch Flash 6042D, were reportedly already marked as “Coming Soon” on Flipkart. However, the products have now been removed from the e-commerce platform.
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According to the report, the first Alcatel smartphone to launch in India will support a stylus. While the exact positioning of the device is unknown at this time, it will be manufactured locally and sold through Flipkart.
Alcatel’s return to India comes at a time when brands like Honor are fading away from the Indian smartphone industry. For the unversed, Alcatel used to be in the Indian telecom and cordless phone market during the 1990s, but the brand faded out after the Alcatel-Lucent merger and Nokia’s acquisition in 2016. Its last headset was sold in India in 2018.
Meanwhile, Sheth has also shared a post stating Honor has received approvals for launching 5 products in India, leaving the fans in speculation about the brand’s future.