OnePlus has announced a partnership with Optiemus Electronics to locally manufacture Internet of Things (IoT) products in India, further strengthening its commitment to the “Make in India” initiative and Project Starlight. This move represents a significant step in the brand’s long-term strategy to strengthen localisation and build a robust manufacturing ecosystem within the country.
The collaboration supports OnePlus’ focus on domestic production, expanding beyond smartphones to now include key IoT products like true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds and wireless neckbands. Manufacturing has commenced at a facility in Noida, starting with the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 — an IoT neckband device known for its ultra-low latency, immersive sound quality, and ergonomic design.
By aligning with Optiemus Electronics, OnePlus aims to improve supply chain resilience, enhance bill-of-material (BOM) localisation, and reduce production costs, ensuring a more efficient and scalable manufacturing framework. This partnership is designed to support OnePlus in delivering high-performance connected devices tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.
The localised manufacturing push is central to OnePlus’ broader strategy of building deeper roots in India — not just as a market, but as a production and innovation hub. The partnership also reflects a shared ambition between OnePlus and Optiemus to contribute meaningfully to India’s electronics manufacturing sector and create long-term value through innovation-driven collaboration.
What’s Project Starlight?
OnePlus says Project Starlight is a major India-focused initiative involving an investment of ₹6,000 crore over three years to enhance durability, customer service, and India-specific innovations. The initiative reflects OnePlus’s commitment to India as a priority market and aims to build long-term consumer trust through product and service improvements.
A key aspect of Project Starlight is enhanced durability. OnePlus is introducing displays with DisplayMate A++ ratings, offering up to 4,500 nits peak brightness for improved visibility in sunlight. Devices undergo a ‘Double-85’ stress test, exposing them to 85°C temperature and 85 percent humidity to ensure resilience in harsh conditions. A new “Green Line Worry-Free” program offers a lifetime display warranty against screen defects like green lines, and introduces more robust AMOLED protection.
Customer support is also getting a significant upgrade. OnePlus plans to expand its service center network in India by 50 percent by mid-2026, following a 22 percent increase in 2023. Improvements include more exclusive service hubs, better-trained personnel, and expanded digital support channels such as WhatsApp and real-time repair tracking. These changes are aimed at improving response times and customer satisfaction across both metro and non-metro cities.
Project Starlight also focuses on India-specific innovations. The upcoming OnePlus 13 will support 5.5G connectivity, tested in collaboration with Jio, delivering up to 380 percent faster speeds through advanced tower aggregation. OnePlus has optimized network performance for challenging environments like underground metro lines. The new Steady Connect feature extends Bluetooth range up to 360 meters, improving connectivity in places like gyms and public transit.
OnePlus CEO Robin Liu emphasized that Project Starlight is about addressing real-world user challenges in India, such as heat, humidity, long usage cycles, and inconsistent network performance. The initiative positions OnePlus to reinforce its market leadership in India through a strong blend of innovation, reliability, and user-centric improvements.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
