French brand Alcatel is back: Eyes top 3 spot with India-first smartphone series
Kolkata: French-origin tech brand Alcatel announced its re-entry into the Indian smartphone market with the launch of the V3 Series, introducing India’s first smartphones equipped with patented NXTPAPER display technology.
Operated in India by Nxtcell, a wholly Indian-owned entity, the company aims to become one of the top three smartphone brands in the country over the next three years.
The new lineup includes the V3 Ultra, V3 Pro and V3 Classic, all designed to cater to young, digital-first consumers, Alcatel said in a press conference on Thursday.
The devices will go on sale from June 2 exclusively on Flipkart, with prices ranging from ₹11,999 to ₹17,999.
India-first manufacturing push
Speaking at the press conference, Atul Vivek, Chief Business Officer of Nxtcell India, said the company is banking on innovation, a premium experience, and long-term investment in R&D to establish its footing in the competitive Indian market.
“Most global brands had moved out of manufacturing and into B2B and R&D due to the shift of the hardware ecosystem to China. But with strong technology and innovation capabilities in place, Alcatel is coming back with a bold vision,” said Vivek.
Alcatel will manufacture the new smartphones in Noida with a capacity of two million units annually, partnering initially with Dixon Technologies.
Plans are in place to eventually establish its own manufacturing facilities in India.
Speaking about the same, Vivek said the focus would be on the northern states and the southern hubs of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, owing to the region's established smartphone supply chain ecosystems.
“India is the first country where Alcatel’s smartphones are being launched. We plan to export to neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan within a year,” Vivek added.
Flipkart to be exclusive launch partner
Flipkart will be Alcatel’s strategic online partner. Smrithi Ravichandran, Vice President - Mobiles, Flipkart, said, “This is not just another smartphone launch — it’s about bringing meaningful, next-gen innovation to every corner of India. Alcatel’s NXTPAPER technology and included stylus give consumers a real reason to upgrade.”
The launch is part of Flipkart Minutes, which promises faster deliveries and improved consumer access.
Ravichandran added that the alignment of Alcatel’s design-led innovation with Flipkart’s reach could set “a new benchmark for accessible smartphones.”
Asked about offline distribution channels, Atul said that company has not yet invested in traditional distribution channels due to associated costs, it plans to do so in the future.
Inside the V3 Series: A paper-like display and more
Leading the series is the Alcatel V3 Ultra, featuring a 6.8-inch NXTPAPER display with dynamic light adaptation, a stylus for productivity, and a 108MP triple-camera setup.
It also brings eSIM support and Horizon Lock technology for stable video capture on the move — segment-firsts for the mid-range market.
The V3 Pro is aimed at performance-oriented users, with up to 18GB of RAM (including virtual RAM), 5200 mAh battery, and 2TB expandable storage.
The V3 Classic, meanwhile, debuts with NXTVision display technology and NFC support, targeting budget-conscious users without compromising on screen quality or payment features.
All devices support a unique 4-in-1 display mode — Regular, Ink Paper, Color Paper, and Max Ink — for varied lighting and content needs, aiming to blend eye comfort with visual clarity.
Digital-first brand play
Alcatel’s India strategy will initially be digital-first, with future expansion into offline distribution networks.
Vivek said today’s young consumers “see through conventional advertising” and instead seek products that “genuinely add value to their lives and improve productivity.”
The company intends to rely on user advocacy and word-of-mouth as key brand drivers. “We want Alcatel phones to be known not just for innovation but for what they enable people to do in their daily lives,” Vivek said.
Local ecosystem integration and future roadmap
Nxtcell India COO Ansh Rathi said the company’s localisation strategy includes aligning with India’s growing tech ecosystem.
“By localising manufacturing, we aim to improve supply chain agility and ensure tighter quality control. This aligns with our long-term vision of bringing high-quality, accessible technology to Indian consumers,” Rathi said.
Future plans include diversifying into feature phones and expanding the product ecosystem to deepen the brand’s presence.
Capital expenditure has already been committed to support scale-up across production and logistics.
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