London-based smartphone company Nothing plans to spin off its sub-brand CMF as an independent, India-based consumer electronics company, with ambitions to build a global brand from the country.
The proposed move would give CMF greater independence as it develops and sells products internationally, according to co-founder Carl Pei.
CMF eyes 100 million phones annually
As an independent company, CMF aims to design its own products in India and sell them to customers around the world.
Pei has said the new venture is targeting an ambitious long-term goal of producing and selling 100 million smartphones annually.
The plan marks a significant shift for CMF, which was launched by Nothing as a more affordable consumer electronics brand. The proposed spin-off would allow the sub-brand to establish its own identity while retaining its focus on accessible technology and design.
India to become the brand’s base
The decision to establish CMF as an India-based company reflects the country’s growing role in global electronics manufacturing, product development and consumer technology.
Rather than positioning India solely as a manufacturing destination, the company intends to build products there for international markets.
The move could also give CMF greater flexibility in developing products specifically for emerging markets while expanding its presence across established global markets.
Ambitious expansion plans ahead
Reaching 100 million phones a year would represent a major expansion for CMF and require significant growth in manufacturing, distribution and international sales.
For Nothing, the proposed spin-off also represents a broader experiment in building independent brands around different consumer segments.
CMF’s transformation into an India-based global company could therefore become an important next step in Nothing’s international growth strategy, while placing India at the centre of the brand’s future product development.