Samsung is Betting on India as its Next Global Growth Engine

As demand in traditional strongholds like North America and Europe begins to plateau, Samsung Electronics is aggressively repositioning India from a secondary market to a primary “future growth engine.” Buoyed by a surging middle class and rising disposable income, the South Korean conglomerate is doubling down on the subcontinent, projecting record-breaking revenues for the coming year.

Financial Resilience in a New Hub

The strategic shift is backed by robust financial performance. In 2025, Samsung recorded sales of approximately KRW 18.41 trillion ($12.74 billion) in India, securing a net profit of roughly KRW 1.54 trillion ($1.2 billion). These figures represent a year-over-year increase of 8 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively.

Looking ahead, the company is bullish. Samsung forecasts that its revenue in India will breach the KRW 20 trillion mark in 2026. This optimism is fueled by market data suggesting a long-term boom; according to Modo Intelligence, India’s home appliance market alone is projected to swell to KRW 104.75 trillion ($71.85 billion) by 2031.

The “Make in India” Strategy

Samsung’s confidence stems from its deep operational roots in the country. Unlike competitors who rely solely on imports, Samsung has invested heavily in local infrastructure.

The company operates major manufacturing facilities in Chennai and Noida, which churn out a wide ecosystem of products including smartphones, laptops, televisions, display panels, and home appliances. Supporting this hardware output are three dedicated research and development centers across the country, ensuring products are tailored to local needs.

The AI Advantage vs. Price Competition

Despite the positive outlook, the path forward is not without obstacles. Samsung faces fierce headwinds from aggressive Chinese competitors, who continue to dominate the budget and mid-range segments with lower pricing structures.

To counter this, Samsung is betting on premiumization and technology differentiation rather than a race to the bottom on price. The company plans to leverage the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across its mobile and home appliance portfolios. By offering a smarter, interconnected ecosystem, Samsung aims to provide a value proposition that price-focused rivals cannot easily replicate, securing its foothold in one of the world’s most vital consumer economies.